Johnson names team for Australia test

Martin Johnson is off to a winning start as England manager. Johnson has made two changes to the pack for Saturday's rugby union international against Australia.











EnglandcoachMartinJohnsonkeepswatchduringateam
trainingsession,Bagshot,England,TuesdayNov.11,2008.
AustraliawillfaceEnglandforaninternationalrugby
uniontestmatchatTwickenhamSaturdayNov.15.(APPhoto)

Johnson has made two changes to the side that beat the Pacific Islanders. Matt Stevens is replaced at prop by former captain Phil Vickery, while Tom Palmer takes Nick Kennedy's place in the second row.

Vickery played a starring role alongside Andrew Sheridan and Mark Regan in England's front row in last year's World Cup win, but the London Wasps man believes Australia have progressed in the right direction. Clearly pleased to have taken charge of his first international, Johnson admitted on Tuesday that the Wallabies will provide a much sterner test.

Martin Johnson says, "I think it was good to get that game played, not out of the way, but it was good to play a game. We've been together for a couple of weeks and you can keep on training, but until you actually go there and get exposed in a few areas you don't really know where you are. So, as I said, we had things to fix up from that game and just think everything to progress, you know every part of our game needs to progress up a level when we play Australia."

Adelaide United hosts Gamba Osaka

Adelaide United are pinning their hopes on a teenage goalkeeper to give them any chance of overturning a 3-nil deficit against Japan's Gamba Osaka. They'll meet in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final on Wednesday.











GambaOsaka'smidfielderYasuhitoEndovieswithAdelaide
United'sdefenderJosedeAbreuOliveira(left)inOsaka
Prefecture,JapanonNovember5.GambaOsaka,buoyedbya
three-goalbufferoverAdelaide,arehopingtocontinue
playingtheiruninhibitedattackingfootballinthedeciding
legoftheAFCChampions'Leaguefinal,oncemorefacing
AdelaideUnited.(AFP)

Adelaide's first-choice keeper, Eugene Galekovic, will miss the match because of suspension, leaving 17-year-old Mark Birighitti as the only recognized keeper in the squad.The Australians are confident they can score at home after netting three in last month's semi-final win over Uzkebistan champions Bunyodkur but know they have to keep a clean sheet to have any real chance of an upset.

Travis Dodd says, "It's definitely a possibility, but like Viddy said before the players have to have belief in themselves that we can do it and if you don't have that then there is no point going out there so we will be going out there in a positive frame of mind thinking that we can score three goals and tie the draw and get the extra one to win it. So there is no doubt in our minds that we can go out and win this."

Ganguly retires with win over Australia cricket team

India won their fourth test against Australia by 172 runs in Nagpur on Monday, to take the series 2-0 and mark the retirements of former skippers Sourav Ganguly in fine style.

India'sSauravGanguly(R)andcricketteamcaptainMahendraDhoni
(2ndL)runbetweenthewicketsontheseconddayoftheirfourth
testcricketmatchagainstAustraliainNagpurNovember7,2008.
REUTERS/PunitParanjpe(INDIA)

Ganguly wound up a glittering test career in the best possible fashion on Monday, skippering the Indian team for one last time as they beat Australia by 172 runs to win the fourth and final test in Nagpur and with it the series against the world champions 2-0. It was Australia's first series defeat since the 2-1 reverse in the 2005 Ashes against England.

Ganguly bows out after 113 test matches - 49 of them as captain. Ganguly will be forever known to his fans as "Dada", and goes into retirement with another stalwart of the team, 38 year-old Anil Kumble.

Federer loses to Simon in Tennis Masters Cup

SHANGHAI, East China, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Roger Federer played an uncharacteristic and erroneous game as he lost to Gilles Simon of France in his first match of the Tennis Masters Cup here on Monday.

RogerFedererofSwitzerlandreturnsashottoGillesSimon
ofFranceduringtheirMastersCuptennismatchinShanghai
November10,2008.FedererlosttoSimon6-4,4-6,3-6.(XinhuaPhoto)

The Swiss, who was made the first seed at the injury-forced absence of World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, made a spate of 50 unforced errors compared to Simon's 38 on his way to the 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 loss.

Like Simon, another Masters Cup debutant Andy Murray of Britain beat Andy Roddick of the United States 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 in another group match.

Sports Anchors Wanted at CCTV-9

The 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Paralympics have put China at the forefront in the world of sports. As the only sports news program at CCTV-9, Sports Scene is looking for full-time anchors.

Potential applicants should be native English speakers with rich experience in hosting TV sports programs. Overseas Chinese are preferred.

If you are interested, please send your CVs to sportsscene@cctv.com. Video samples of your work, including programs you previously hosted, can be sent to:

Sports Scene 体育报道

CCTV9 中心电视台英语频道

11 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China

中国北京海淀区复兴路11号

100859

11/12 Sports Scene

11/11 Sports Scene

11/09 Sports Scene

08/11/07 Xie Jin: Iconic filmmaker in China

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Background Report:

Intro:

For each generation of artists, there must be a few representatives. They are the torchbearers of the spirit of the times.

Xie Jin is one of such masters who command the respect of at least two generations of Chinese moviegoers. He was noted for strong women protagonists in most of the movies he directed. Viewers were impressed and inspired by the satire and critical tone of his political melodramas in the 1980s.

The most valuable legacy of his movies might be his bravery and insights in examining the humanistic nature of different characters in the movie, and hopefully, in our daily life regardless of ideological lens. This was absolutely incredible in those days when leftist ideology still governed people’s outlook.

Xie Jin, known as the conscience of Chinese filmmakers, died at the age of 85 in October. This edition of DIALOGUE is to pay our tribute to his landmark achievements in the first four decades of the People’s Republic of China.

-- Retrospect: Xie jin's works

-- Xie Jin's family tragedy

08/11/04 Financial crisis in a globalized world

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Backgrounder:

Topics:

Financial Crisis in a Globalized World

Shifting Paradigns and Sino-EU Cooperation

Intro:

Christopher Francis Patten is a British Conservative politician and a Patron of the Tory Reform Group. He was a Member of Parliament, eventually rising to a cabinet minister and party chairman.

In the latter capacity, he orchestrated the Conservatives' unexpected fourth consecutive electoral victory in 1992, but lost his own seat in the House of Commons. He then accepted the post of last Commander in Chief and British Governor of Hong Kong.

After Hong Kong's handover to the People's Republic of China, Patten became the European Commissioner for foreign relations.

After leaving that post, he returned to the UK and was raised to the Peerage. He is the Chancellor of Newcastle University and the University of Oxford.

08/11/03 Cross-strait ties meet choppy waters

Special Report:ARATS Chief visits Taiwan

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Background Report:

Intro:
Green protesters in Taiwan vow to set hurdles to normalization of the cross-straits ties as the two sides are bracing for a milestone event. Mr. Chen Yunlin, chairman of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits kicked off his five-day visit to Taiwan on Monday.

Mr. Chen’s tour is a reciprocal return for the mainland trip by his Taiwan counterpart, chairman Chiang Pin-Kung of the Straits Exchange Foundation, in June this year. The two sides will address the key issue of opening direct sea links and cargo flights.

But, Taiwan, which has been regarded as a renegade province makes it clear that it will not accept any compromise on its alleged sovereignty, and wants to address the cross-strait cooperation on an equal footing. It seems that public opinions are seriously divided in the island about how to respond to the reconciliatory gestures of the mainland since the die-hard pro-independence DPP lost the campaign in March.

08/10/23 Europe faces an assertive Asia

Special Report:The 7th Asia-Europe Meeting

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Background Report:

Intro:

Asia is licking its wounds ten years after the devastating financial crisis had engulfed most of its countries.

Today, another crisis is looming larger and is likely to weaken the global economy. Will Asia be impacted? The 7th ASEM summit meeting to be held in Beijing provides a platform for European and Asian leaders to address the collaboration that is badly needed to stabilize the financial situation. China becomes the focus of attention when it boasts of the largest foreign exchange reserve.

French President Nicholar Sarkozy says that he will call for including India and China in the planned global financial summit meeting. How will Asia and Europe interact with each other to minimize the global impact of the financial turmoil?

08/11/11 Executive pay: How much is too much

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08/11/10 Chinas bailout independence

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08/11/09 Egypts foreign policy and influence

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08/11/08 Windows blackout ignites IPR debate

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08/11/06 Counseling for trauma victims

08/10/14 Counseling for trauma victims

Moderator: Yang Rui

Guests:

Dr. Judy Kuriansky, Clinical Psychologist, Columbia University Teacher's College

Dr. Rob Blinn, Director, Beijing United's Family Counseling Center

Intro:

A 40-year-old senior official of Beichuan County, one of the worst-hit areas in Sichuan earthquake, hanged himself in a temporary office on October 3, when most Chinese celebrated National holidays.

When Sichuan is working on the reconstruction plan and counties are on the way of recovery, survivors who lost home and relatives are still struggling to find their hope and learn to be strong.

How to understand their fear and worries? What efforts have international psychologists made in Sichuan? What does the Sichuan earthquake help us to learn more about the meaning of life?

08/11/05 Obama wins US presidency

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08/01/08 Dialogue between an atheist & a christian

Guest:
Dr. Luis Palau, Founder
Luis Palau Evangelist Association

There is no doubt that everyone should have a faith and the freedom to worship. Few would be able to imagine what the world could be like without faith. Today we are honored to be joined by Dr. Luis Palau, a Christian evangelist and founder of the Luis Palau Association. He is best known for his worldwide contemporary evangelistic festivals.

We shall discuss the power of faith, one's attitude towards religion in a secular world and the relations between politics, science and religion. We also shall ask Dr. Palau to address the reasons behind clashes between different civilizations in the post-cold war era.

Besides, we would also talk about a book called Riverside Talks coauthored by Mr. Zhao Qizheng, former minister of the State Council Information Office and Dr. Luis Palau. It is a dialogue not a debate between an atheist in the East and a theist from the West.

08/01/16 Political will matters for Sino-Indian ties

Moderator: Yang Rui

Guest:

Madam Nirupama Rao, Indian ambassador to China

MadamNirupamaRao,IndianambassadortoChina

As two of the largest developing countries, China and India share many challenges and opportunities. Leaders from both sides vow to seek win-win economic ties and to build mutual trust through regular high-level dialogues. This strong political will has been made clear during the current official visit by Indian Prime Minister Mamahan Singh.

This visit is the first of its kind in five years and the first tour of China by PM Singh. Premier Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart agree that the bilateral relations are of regional and global significance. One of the major issues on the agenda of the Indian delegation is finding a package solution to the current boundary question. But of course, New Dehli also wants to minimize the current trade imbalance in favor of China.

Both sides agree to hold a second joint military exercise later this year to strengthen the military-to-military ties.

08/01/05 Rock legend keeps dream alive

Guest:

Cui Jian, Chinese Rock Jian,ChineseRockRollMusician src="http://www.cctv.com/program/e_dialogue/20080106/images/1200560729254_1200560729254_r.jpg" border=0>



CuiJian,ChineseRockRollMusician

Recognized as the father of rock-and-roll in China, Cui Jian has been compared to Elvis, Dylan, and Springsteen by Western media.

Born in 1961 into an ethnically Korean family, he joined the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra at age 20 playing classical trumpet.

Smitten by Western rock, he took up the guitar and by the mid-1980s was playing Western pop songs in Beijing's small restaurants and hotels.

07/12/10 Carters presidency & retirement life

Guest Speaker:

Jimmy Carter, former US president

Introduction:

Jimmy Carter, now 83-year-old, is the 39th president of the United States of America. During his presidency, full diplomatic relations was established between the People’s Republic of China and the United States of America. His birthday happens to be the national day of China.

After losing the campaign to Ronald Reagan, he went back to his peanut farm in his hometown Georgia, where he not only made furniture but also cradles for his grandchildren.

Having paid his debts, the former president starts to write books, tries to negotiate peace and monitors over 60 democratic elections in developing countries, as the Carter Center remains committed to human rights, democracy, poverty alleviation and treatment of diseases.

DIALOGUE is privileged to interview Mr. Jimmy Carter during his visit in Beijing.

Yang Rui has online chat with netizens on Dec.28th

Watch live talk with Yang Rui

Yang Rui has online chat with netizens on Dec.28th

Largest Bruce Lee Museum opens in S. China

The ancestral hometown of Bruce Lee in southern China has finished building the world's largest memorial museum for the action legend, China News Service reported Tuesday.

VisitorscrowdthenewBruceLeemuseumthatopenedinShunde,
GuangdongProvinceonNovember9,2008.[Photo:fsonline.com.cn]

The museum, located in Shunde, Guangdong Province, was inaugurated Sunday by Bruce's sister Phoebe Lee, who traveled from San Francisco for the occasion.

More than 1,000 items related to or used by Bruce Lee are on display, including costumes and photographs. Some letters and poems written by the martial artist are being exhibited for the first time, the report says.

The compound also includes a sculpture park that will feature the world's tallest Bruce Lee statue when the 18.8-meter-tall artwork is finished early next year.

Future meet-ups for Bruce Lee's fans are being planned, with which the museum's director Huang Dechao hopes to create a communication forum for worldwide fans.

There has been a resurgent interest in China over Bruce Lee, who passed away three decades ago, thanks to a new 50-episode drama series "The Legend of Bruce Lee," produced by China Central Television (CCTV). The drama, although controversial for some bloopers found in its scenes, has become the most-watched CCTV drama in history following its initial airing in October.

Urban shutterbugs of China

In addition to their careers, many people these days are paying more attention to their hobbies. While some enjoy hiking, the fine arts, or theatre, others prefer photography. Today we'll take a look at some of these shutterbugs from urban China.

EventhoughWangFanisnotaprofessionalphotographer,he
hasapassionfortheviewthroughthelens.

Even though Wang Fan is not a professional photographer, he has a passion for the view through the lens. He is fascinated by the imagery captured on his camera. If possible, he would devote all his spare time to shooting pictures around the world.

Wang Fan, amateur photographer, said, "It's five a.m. and we're getting ready for a trip to the Wild Duck Lake. We will shoot the sunrise there. A sunrise is a very uplifting sight. It is even more beautiful on the grasslands."

EventhoughWangFanisnotaprofessionalphotographer,he
hasapassionfortheviewthroughthelens.

In China there are millions of amateur photographers like Wang Fan. For them, no obstacle is too daunting in the quest to capture beautiful images. For these budding photographers, their hobby is an outlet for the daily stresses of urban life.

Wang Fan said, "This is the fifth time that I've been here. This is the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen. Watching the sun makes me forget all the trouble it took for me to get here. I find it quite worthwhile. This single moment deserves a lifetime's effort."

Lets talk about ink and brush

An exhibition celebrating traditional ink and brush painting, opened in Beijing over the weekend at the Museum of Contemporary Art. "Legend of Ink and Brush" aims to reveal contemporary developments in the traditional art form, while emphasizing that tradition remains at the heart, in the modern era.

Contemporary ink and brush painting entered a new phase during the 1990s and aroused new international awareness. Chinese artists broke the limits of traditional forms, and expanded the art form using a greater diversity of materials. Paintings tend to express the artist's views about society. There is fresh regard to technique, color and media reflecting the inner world. The artistic experimentation upgraded the traditional art into a more complex manner of expression and to new aesthetics.

Ping Jie, curator, said, "Contemporary ink and brush art developed as a result of experimentation by Taiwan artists during the 1960's and mainland artists during the 1980s. In the past, painters just followed what they learned from the masters. Contemporary painting is more focused on individual expression. Today's artists add various elements into their works. The revolution in approach gave rise to the overall changes in the ink and brush field."

Chinese artists have created awe inspiring works with ink and brush over the past 2000 years.

An avid collector of footwear

People have worn shoes for thousands of years. Some believe footwear may predate other types of clothing. On Today's Style Watch, we'll look at a collection of shoes that has grown big enough to become a museum.

ZhongMantian'sfascinationwithshoesgoesbacktothe1960s,
whenhewenttoworkinShanxiprovinceinnorthChina.

Zhong Mantian is a senior designer at the China Garment Design Research Center. One of his avocations is collecting shoes. Over the years, his home has been transformed into a veritable footwear museum.

Zhong Mantian, Shoes Collector, said, "This cabinet contains shoes worn by members of various ethnic groups. Most of the shoes are over 200 hundred years old. That one is filled with foreign shoes. This, apparently is from Italy, and this pair was bought in Hollywood."

Zhong Mantian's fascination with shoes goes back to the 1960s, when he went to work in Shanxi province in north China. The city where he was employed is considered the birthplace of traditional embroidered shoes. There, Zhong Mantian learned to see beyond the utilitarian value of shoes and to appreciate the aesthetics of footwear. In the designs on the soles and vamps, he began to see traditional Chinese values.

Zhong Mantian said, "These are China's traditional embroidered shoes. What really matters is the designs. This design is composed of garlic, leek, and red pepper. These vegetables and spices symbolize acumen, discretion and economy in the Chinese tradition. Those qualities are considered the most admirable in the local culture."

Most of the time, the embroidery on shoes reflects the most cherished wishes of farmers. That includes fertility, marriage, and family harmony. A farmer's life usually can be chronicled according to the number of shoes he has worn. Beginning with the embroidered shows, Zhong Mantian embarked on a more ambitious adventure in the world of footwear.

Key chain collector

In today's China, people collect everything and anything, just like in other parts of the world. For most, big ticket items like antiques and jewelry are not affordable, so they choose ordinary items. Sun Baochuan collects key chains.

SunBaochuan'scollection

To many, the key chains are too small to be bothered with collecting. To Sun, key chains encapsulate history and culture.

Sun said, "I have my choices in collecting. For instance, I collect Olympic theme key chains. Those chains reflect a century of development of the Olympic Games."

Sun's collection surely is not valuable. But to him, the key chains contain his special memories.

Sun said, "I'm not looking forward to increasing the value of my collection but to upgrade my life's energy. I call my collection stereo-stamps because the collection is all about culture and history. I recall many memories when I see those key chains."

China Opera Festival

China is home to a rich trove of regional operas. Their works contain the highest expressions of history, daily life, religion, emotional turmoil and human aspiration. But many works were abandoned during the ten-year Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976.

Chinaishometoarichtroveofregionaloperas

Intent on saving and revivifying these precious cultural legacies, the government initiated the China Opera Festival. On today's "Style Watch", we take a close look at how the two-decade old festival remains a major force for protecting marginalized Chinese opera.

Since ancient times, Suzhou has been a favored place for people to turn their backs from worldly affairs. World weary politicians and scholars set up luxurious gardens. They led lives of refinement, immersed in art and music. Some --swept with inspiration -- created operas based on life amid the gardens. Poetry, romance, elegant music and beautiful surroundings integrated in what we know today as Kunqu Opera.

Today Kunqu opera, considered the pinnacle of Chinese regional operas, is recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Centuries after its emergence, Kunqu opera appears well on its way to renewed stature.

In late 2007, Kunqu became the focal image on the logo of the 10th China Opera Festival. Suzhou played the rotating host to the biennial event for the first time. Suzhou, as well as the city's renascent Kunqu opera, may point the way for ancient operas to survive the onslaught of modern entertainment. Still the matter is not fully resolved, and sustaining the regional operas remains the vital challenge for the festival.

Chinese cultures flourish in German middle school

New efforts are in progress in Germany, to introduce Chinese teaching in schools. One of the elements of the initiative was a seminar that proved informative and insightful.

NeweffortsareinprogressinGermany,tointroduceChinese
teachinginschools.

The Confucius Institute in Hanover and the educational authorities of Niedersachsen gathered for a seminar in the northern town of Buxtchdue. The aim was to rouse interest among students in Chinese culture and history. The gathering took place at a local high school, between October 30th and November 1st.

One session was titled "A Survey of China's History and Philosophy." Participants engaged in a brainstorming session, which called upon them to create a listing as long as possible, of key words that pertain to China. The list included things like, the Great Wall, silk, tea, terra cotta warriors, printing techniques, the Three Gorges Project, Special Administrative Region, and Beijing Olympic Games.

NeweffortsareinprogressinGermany,tointroduceChinese
teachinginschools.

This is the second time the town has hosted a seminar like this. There is a concurrent lecture series, teaching the rudiments of the Chinese language, the outline of China's history and its philosophical perspective. Students are also invited to sample Chinese food and to try their hand at writing Chinese characters.

On the practical side, students also are informed concerning employment opportunities that may be opened to those who are proficient in the Chinese language.

Romance of the West Chamber

The Romance of the West Chamber is one of China's most famous dramas. It's the story of two young lovers who consummate their love without the approval of their parents, and is called "China's most popular love story". The Romance of the West Chamber has inspired various styles of stage performance, the latest one being Kunqu opera adding modern elements to a traditional play.

TheRomanceoftheWestChamberisoneofChina'smostfamous
dramas.

The Romance of the West Chamber was written by playwright Wang Shifu some 700 years ago. Set in the Tang Dynasty, it's about the secret love affair between Zhang Sheng, a young scholar, and Cui Yingying, daughter of a rich family.

Its theme is an attack on feudal mores, supporting the longing of young people in ancient China for freedom of marriage. According to the orthodox viewpoint of feudal society, love was not a basis for marriage, and most marriages were arranged by the parents of the couples.

TheRomanceoftheWestChamberisoneofChina'smostfamous
dramas.

The original story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng was first told as a short story written by Yuan Zhen, a famous poet in Tang Dynasty. This version was called the Story of Yingying. It differs from the later play in that Zhang Sheng ultimately breaks from Yingying, and does not ask for her hand.

Perhaps bowing to popular sentiment, Wang Shifu changed the tragic ending into a happy one.

Ugly fad in screen

Beautiful girls seem to be losing ground to their plainer sisters on television and at the movies. Already there's the American adaptation of the popular Latin American comedy "Ugly Betty." And there's the latest Chinese soap opera "Ugly Wudi". Stories about plain looking girls are selling to audiences around the world. On today's "The Spotlight", we look at how Ugly is rising up to challenge Beauty for prominence on the screen.

"UglyBetty"

America's ABC comedy "Ugly Betty" follows the life of Betty Suarez. She's a good-natured but unglamorous girl from New York city. Betty is brave and warm-hearted but lacking in social skills, self-confidence, fashion sense and aesthetic polish.

Betty is suddenly thrust into a different world when she is hired as a personal assistant at Mode, a fashion magazine headquartered in Manhattan.

The drama was a big hit when it was premiered in 2006. It earned many top awards.

"UglyWudi"

The popularity of the comedy inspired a Chinese version: Ugly Wudi. The TV series was produced by Hunan Province Television and released earlier this year. The story line hews closely to the original south American and American versions. The Chinese adaptation tells about an unattractive but talented girl struggling for success in a big company.

Cross Straits Chorus Festival held in Fuzhou

Cross straits cultural exchanges have been growing in in recent years. The latest example is the first ever Fuzhou Cross Straits Chorus Festival in east China. It was held over the weekend. It brought cultural exchanges between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan to a new high. Four choral groups from Taiwan joined eighteen mainland groups in a competition.

ThefirsteverFuzhouCrossStraitsChorusFestivalwasheld
inFuzhou.ItbroughtculturalexchangesbetweentheChinese
MainlandandTaiwantoanewhigh.

The competition was the major event of the Cross Straits Chorus Festival. People came to watch and listen to the competitors give their best, outdoors at Fuzhou Stadium, Sunday afternoon.

Twenty two chorus groups attended the contest. There were eight from Fujian province, ten representing other places on the mainland and four from Taiwan. As this was the first ever Cross Straits Chorus event, the four groups from Taiwan took the spotlight. Each expressed a different style of the choral art on the island.

ThefirsteverFuzhouCrossStraitsChorusFestivalwasheld
inFuzhou.ItbroughtculturalexchangesbetweentheChinese
MainlandandTaiwantoanewhigh.

One group from Keelung, sang Hakka songs. The chorus from Hualien sang the tunes of ethnic groups in the mountainous regions of Taiwan. A Taipei group sang a cappella, blending western opera and dramatic acting into their performance.

No matter from which part of Taiwan island they hailed, all the performers were excited at the opportunity to compete with mainland artists and to exchange ideas.

Kong Fanjun, member of Hua-Lien Chorus Band, said, "I feel honored to perform at this event. Although many of our group are not indigenous people of Hua-lien, we are glad to have brought this unique culture to the mainland audience. Hua-lien has the most ethnic culture. We especially chose some of their most colorful songs."

Dai Shuying, member of Hua-Lien Chorus Band, said, "We came here to learn from the mainland artists. We hope exchanges like this will continue."

The Yurun Chorus from Keelung has a sixty year history. The group's members come from different backgrounds. Lv Jinming, the choir master says his group brought four Hakka songs to the festival. He says Taiwan has over a thousand amateur choruses. The four that participated are representative of the island's rich endowment in the art.

Some Taiwan artists say returning to the mainland is an experience in coming home. And for artists from both sides of the straits, it came the opportunity to learn from each other.

Ye Jinglvs story revealed in photographs

Ye Jinglv, a businessman, collector and Christian who lived in Fuzhou city in east China's Fujian province, was born in 1881. He died in 1968. For 62 of his 88 years, he sat for an annual portrait, creating a unique personal chronicle, that made him something of a legendary figure among contemporary art critics.

This is a series of portraits of Ye Jinglv taken every year from 1907 to 1968.

Between 1907 and 1968，Ye Jinglv compiled a chronicle of his personal Odyssey from the time of the Qing Dynasty through the Republican Period and extending well into the People's Republic of China.

We have not found anyone in history who has shown such dedication and persistence to relating the story of a lifetime in this manner. We feel that Ye Jinglv in many ways was a man before his time, expressing through his determined efforts the spirit of contemporary performance art.

Action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping

Yuen Woo-ping widely reputed as the film industry's number one action choreographer will be in the director's chair for "Su Qi'er." It's a film about a legendary kungfu hero. Yuen escorted leading cast members Zhao Wenzhuo, Zhou Xun, actor Chow and Guo Xiaodong to a ceremony marking the commencement of filming.

ActionchoreographerYuenWooPingJetLi

"Drunken Master", one of Yuen's early action credits, launched Jackie Chan as a major film star. The action sequences Yuen designed also helped to polish the stars of Jet Lee and Michell Yoeh. Yuen says he was moved by the story of legendary hero Su Qi er after reading the script. His wife took a part in encouraging him to direct not only the action sequences by the entire film. Yuen hopes to create a perfect blending of spectacular Kungfu sequences with expertise he learned while shooting films in Hollywood.

Born to a martial arts family, Yuen was schooled in Kungfu from an early age. His father Yuen Siu Tin, an established martial arts performer in Peking Opera was his teacher. Yuen started his career as a stunt actor. His polished skills made him a stand out.

ActionchoreographerYuenWooPing (File photo)

In 1978, well known film maker Wu Siyuan,presented Yuen with a new opportunity, to become an action sequence choreographer. Yuen made his directorial debut with the widely popular "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow." "Drunken Master" followed. The two films follow stereotypical plots: a mischievous young man learns Kungfu from a hermit master, then goes on to humble the local tyrant. But Yuen managed to set a comic tone for both films. He designed vivid Kungfu moves that seemed almost vaudevillian. Audiences were richly entertained. Both films became smash hits. Both reached the top ten at the Hong Kong Box office that year. Yuen's reputation in the film industry was established.

Later, Yuen extended his influence -- directing "Magnificent Butcher" and "Dreadnought." Both films became successful at the box office.