Chinese President Watches Performance by Disabled Arts Troupe
The troupe is going to have a performing tour of the United States. At the end of the performance tonight, Jiang, who is also general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee, met with the troupe's art supervisor and some artists, offering them his congratulations for the success of their performance. "Your performance is splendid and touching," he said, adding that "It encourages people to make unremitting efforts to improve themselves and display their dignity, value and potential." It is of special significance to promoting the cultural and ethic progress in China, and this, as a unique form of performing arts, should enjoy the full support from all social sectors, Jiang said. The troupe is to perform in six American cities including Washington, New York and San Francisco from September 5 to 27, at a time when the Chinese president and leaders of other countries will attend the UN Millennium Summit in New York. U.S. Vice-President Al Gore wrote to China Disabled Persons Federation, expressing his warm welcome to the troupe. Jiang also met with an American delegation which made a special trip to Beijing to welcome the troupe to the United States. Joseph Prueher, American ambassador to China, presented Jiang a letter of congratulations from U.S. President Bill Clinton on the troupe's coming performing tour of his country. Jiang expressed his thanks, saying that the performing tour by these disabled artists and their special art will help enhance the exchange and understanding between the people of China and the United States. In reply, head of the U.S. delegation said that the American people must better understand China and the troupe's coming performing tour of the United States will help promote the understanding between the people of the two countries and their mutual trust. Since its founding 14 years ago, the troupe has performed in some 30 countries. | |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |
