The Fifth Beijing International Music Festival opened with a concert on October 11, enjoyed by an audience of more than 1,000.
Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the opening concert along with some senior officials.
The Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as orchestras from other countries, performed at the opening concert.
Being an important cultural event each year since 1998, the festival this year will present 26 concerts in Beijing to be performed by artists from 16 countries and regions.
(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2002)
