PLA troupe brings joy for 7th SAR birthday
(China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2004-06-22 08:34

Some 400 mainland artists from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) arrived in Hong Kong yesterday to celebrate the SAR's seventh anniversary in two performances on June 23 and 24.

The PLA Art Troupe, which is well-known at home and abroad, will stage two performances at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

Commemorating the anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with its motherland, the event is a chance for mainland visitors to share with Hong Kong people the joy of the occasion, said Major General Wang Zhaohai, head of the ensemble, at a press conference yesterday.

The visit is also meant to deepen Hongkongers' understanding of the PLA and strengthen their nationalism and patriotism, Wang stressed.

"We belong to the same family, same country and same nation. We all understand that only through unity could the country be strong," Wang said.

He pointed out that the central government had adopted different measures to help Hong Kong's economic revival and social stability.

"There will be more economic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland. The Chinese nation shares the same root and origin. In one mind, we are all dedicated to helping the country strengthen itself," he stressed.

This visit of the PLA troupe is to promote cultural exchange and friendship between the two places, he said.

Wang explained that the troupe would like to visit Hong Kong more often, but has not been able to do so because the Hong Kong Coliseum was often fully booked. But he pledged to come more frequently in future.

The proceeds of the two performances, estimated to be around HK$1 million, will all be donated to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, a charity organization in the SAR.

The troupe, which consists of many talented performers and producers, has won numerous international acclaims as well as commendations by the government and the army.

To promote China's friendship with other peoples of the world, it has undertaken performances in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa with great success.

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