In memorization of 120 anniversary of Mr. Mei Lanfang’s birth, at the invitation of Min-on (Japan), the China National Peking Opera Company delegation, dispatched by the CPAFFC, performed Farewell to My Concubine and Return of the Phoenix, the masterpieces of Mr. Mei Lanfang in Tokyo Nakano Sun Plaza Hall on May 14.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Vice President of the CPAFFC, Mr. Xie Yuan, 13 foreign diplomatic envoys in Japan, President of Min-on (Japan), Mr. Yasuhiro Kobayashi and local representatives from political, economic and cultural areas, amounting to 2000 members attended and watched the performance. The famous Peking Opera artists, Mr. Yu Kuizhi and Mrs. Li Shengsu played the leading roles. Their performances were well received and highly credited by the audience.

H.E. Mr. Cheng Yonghua greeted the artists and the staffs in the backstage after the show, encouraging them to work harder for the cultural exchanges between China and Japan. In the celebration wine party that evening afterwards, Vice President Mr. Xie Yuan expressed his wish to the delegation, in the spirit of Mr. Mei Lanfang, to better contribute to the solidarity of the “Friendship Gold Bridge” between the two countries through the artistic communication during the visit.

The China National Peking Opera Company delegation, made up of 65 members, arrived in Japan on May 5, starting the tour around Japan for two months. There will be 53 performances held in 30 cities, with an expectation of 100,000 audience in total.