Chinese Yuju Opera artist Chen Bailing (stage name Xiao Xiangyu) won the 2003 Mont Blanc Arts Patronage Award last week, illustrating her devotion to promoting the development of Yuju Opera, as well as her work to promote the education of children from poor areas.

The winner was selected by 30 leading artists from 10 countries and regions, in the contest sponsored by the German company Mont Blanc. The jury included Chinese artist Chen Yifei, movie director Chen Kaige and conductor Yu Long.

Born in 1965 in Zhengzhou in central China's Henan Province, the home province of Yuju Opera, Xiao Xiangyu is granddaughter of Chang Xiangyu, the most renowned master of the local opera.

Inheriting Chang's skills and performance style, she has established herself as a successful Yuju Opera actress since she became the president of the Henan Yuju Troupe in 1987.

Aside from her own artistic achievements, in 1995 she invested in and founded China's first performing arts school in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi, a neighbour province of Henan, which did not charge tuition fees to orphans and children from the poverty stricken region.

Starting with 26 students, the school within three years had developed into a formal arts training school with a comprehensive basic education, enrolling more than 300 students from across the country.

The school still offers free tuition to 20 to 30 students every year.

Meanwhile, the performance troupe of the school is famous across China, with the young performers touring the nation every year.

In 1992, Mont Blanc established the Mont Blanc Foundation for Arts and Culture, to present the Mont Blanc Art Patronage Award to world-renowned artists whose commitment and achievements deserve wider recognition.

Over the past 10 years, nearly 100 artists from 10 countries have been awarded prizes. Last year, movie director Zhang Yang, cinematographer Gu Changwei, conductor Yu Long and violinist Lu Siqing became the first Chinese artists to win the award.

(China Daily December 16, 2003)