At a press conference Tuesday on the festive gala, an official of the ministry said that it wants to promote a group of young individuals talented in stage arts.

As a tradition over the latest 10 years, the ministry gathered most of the country's outstanding performers for the gala, which will be broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV), said Li Yannian, an official with the ministry.

In the implementation of the long-term policy of artistic advancement, directors of the gala this year are promoted many new faces and new performances, general director Xing Dehui said.

The winners of the latest national art contests will be among those promoted, such as Huo Yong, Wang Li, Wang Hongwei, You Hongfei, Wang Yan, Tan Jing, Feng Ruili, Cai Zhefei, Wang Siyu, Feng Xinrui and Zhang Kai.

Many top singers, dancers, composers and choreographers were invited to produce the delicate gala, Xing said.

The classical pieces included in the evening gala are selected pieces of Chinese folk art forms, ballet The Nutcracker Suite, chorus Two Springs Mirroring the Moon, pop songs and Beijing Opera sections, Li said.

Artists from the Central Philharmonic Orchestra, the Central Philharmonic Chorus, the Central Opera Theater, the Central Opera and Ballet Theater, the Central Nationalities Orchestra, Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble and China Beijing Opera Troupe took part in the performance, which was filmed and edited in the past six months.

(People's Daily 01/09/01)