These programmes will showcase the rich and diverse artistic and cultural productions; highlight the multidisciplinary nature of the field of performing arts... foster cultural vitality and unleash talent; promote cultural tourism; and enhance cultural diplomacy.

A trained opera singer, he is one of 20 young foreign vocalists in Beijing this summer to learn how to sing opera in a new language: Mandarin. It's a daunting task that culminated Thursday night with a performance at the National Center for Performing Arts...

China's most celebrated operatic export Tian Hao Jiang's "I Sing Beijing" is a summer program bringing some 20 promising young professionals from the U.S., Europe and South America to China to learn to sing in Mandarin, a program that will culminate with a gala concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on August 18.

For uninformed visitors, the sight and sound of foreigners belting it out in Chinese might seem bizarre. But Glenn is part of an unprecedented program called I Sing Beijing that has brought to China 20 young Western performers from the United States, Europe and Central and South America to learn to sing opera in Mandarin. More than 200 people auditioned in Los Angeles, Denver and New York.

The phrase 'public diplomacy' was mentioned six times today in China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin's work report at the Fourth Session today of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Spokesman Zhao Qizheng also outlined the CPPCC's diplomatic work at the annual session's first press conference.

South Africa's Cape Town Opera has turned down an appeal from Nobel peace prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu to call off a tour of Israel. He said it would be as inappropriate as it had been for international firms to visit South Africa during apartheid.

The leader of the renowned Ming Hwa Yuan Gezai opera troupe from Taiwan hailed British audiences as "bosom friends" Friday and voiced hope that the troupe will have another chance to perform in the U.K. capital to bolster in-depth cultural exchanges between the two countries.