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Beijing Opera Performance Shows Anti-Corruption Drive
A Beijing Opera performance featuring an anti-corruption theme in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) is now showing in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.
During its performances in the two provinces, the opera, named "Fighting Against Corrupt Imperial Member," attracted large numbers of spectators.
"The nation should learn from history to fight against corruption at modern times," said Zhang Jizeng, mastermind behind the performance.
In the opera, Liu Tongxun, Minister of Punishments in the Qing Dynasty, sentenced Gao Heng, brother of Emperor Qianlong's mother, to death and insisted on the execution afterwards.
Gao, in charge of civil affairs at that time, embezzled a huge amount of money which was used for constructing river banks to curb flooding. His embezzlement doubled the annual revenue of the central authorities.
Therefore, Emperor Qianlong decided to rectify criminal law, removing the article of absolution for imperial members.
When staging the opera in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, the audience warmly applauded during the performance.
The opera is also scheduled to be shown in Yangzhou, one of the venues of the Sixth China Art Festival.
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