The National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts and the municipal government of Huai'an city in east Jiangsu province, marked the 135th birth anniversary of Peking Opera guru Wang Yaoqing at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with a symposium reviewing Wang's career and contributions to development of Peking Opera on Dec 28.

The symposium was followed by a concert dedicated to the master, which brought together performers from the country;s top troupes — the National Peking Opera Company, the Peking Opera Theater of Beijing and Tianjin Peking Opera Theater.

Wang (1881-1954), from Huai'an, was known for his combination of different styles during Peking Opera performances. He is also known as the Peking Opera artist with the most number of disciples.

More than 400 people, including masters like Mei Lanfang and Cheng Yanqiu, are considered to be Wang's students. Wang was also a president of National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts.