The State Council, the central Chinese government, awarded Chang Xiangyu, a master of Yuju Opera (a local opera popular in central Henan province and parts of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces in north and northwestern China), who died recently, the title of "People's Artist," at a ceremony on Tuesday.

This is a rare honor reserved only for those outstanding performing artists who have made eminent contributions to the development of the Chinese culture.

Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili gave the certificate to Chang's family members at the ceremony, which took place at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng presided over the ceremony.

In his address, the state councilor recalled the life and work of Chang and urged Chinese artists to learn from the Yuju Opera master.

Chang is known for her masterful artistic attainment and generous donations made during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), when she contributed a great deal of money to buy a war plane for the Chinese volunteers fighting side by side with the troops of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea during the war.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2004)