Vice Premier Li Lanqing and other senior officials attended the orchestra concert and closing ceremony of the 25-day music gala.

More than 30 performances were given during the festival, by art groups including Budapest Festival Orchestra, Italy's Verona Opera House and other well-known musical groups, which consisted of more than 1,000 artists from around the world.

Meanwhile, organizers provided music students with masters' lectures and two free concerts, one for children and the other for college students.

The organizers said that they aim to make the festival, jointly sponsored by Ministry of Culture and Beijing Municipal Government, a world-famous event of its kind.

(People's Daily 11/12/2000)