1. On January 18, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of China International Culture Association (CICA) met with Mrs. Sachiko Takeda, representative of Japanese Kansai Japan-China Exchange Association, and reviewed the history of friendly exchanges between Kansai Japan-China Exchange Association and China. Both parties discussed the issues of holding concert in China at the 70th anniversary of “9.18 Incident” proposed by the Japanese party.

2. From February 22 to March 1, a 3-member delegation of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association headed by Ersek Tobor, Vice Chairman of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association visited Beijing at the invitation of CICA. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the delegation. Tian Dan, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Vice Secretary-General of CICA attended the meeting and dinner during their visit in China. Both parties held two work talks and reached a preliminary consensus on signing a 5-year letter of intent between the two parties.

3. At the beginning of the year, CICA sent a 10-member performance group from Zunyi Acrobatic Troup to present paid performance in Singapore.

4. On March 8, “2001 Beijing New Century International Women Art Exhibition” jointly hosted by CICA and United Nations Development Fund for Women was opened at National Art Museum of China. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA and representative from United Nations Development Fund for Women made speeches respectively at the opening ceremony. Over 200 guests from art and news circles in Beijing attended the opening ceremony. In line with the spirit of “peace, development and equality”, the exhibition aimed to reflect the consciousness, independence, equality and the new trend of seeking development of the women worldwide in the process of fighting for freedom and getting rid of the traditional unequal constraint after entering the new century. Over 70 pieces of works created by outstanding domestic female artists and 30 pieces of works created by 12 female artists from Egypt, Latvia, Lithuania, Ecuador, Slovenia, Hungary, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Austria, New Zealand and Sweden were shown in the exhibition.

5. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark, CICA and the Danish Embassy in China had organized Danish famous composer “Carl Nielsen Biography and Exhibition” in a dozen of cities in China from last year. The opening ceremony of exhibition was held in Beijing on March 4. Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA and Danish ambassador to China attended and addressed the ceremony. “Carl Nielsen Concert” was held at Beijing Concert Hall the same night. Lv Zhixian and ambassadors to China from Denmark, Sweden and Iceland attended the concert.

6. On March 21, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA and Pu Tong, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Culture Relations in Ministry of Culture met with and hosted a banquet for Wada Munemi, the Japanese representative in China and her delegation. Both parties reviewed the first visiting delegation to China organized by Urasenke and the sado exchanges between China and Japan in recent years. The Japanese party also briefed that Soshitsu Sen would send a delegation to China for the 100th times in June as this year marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Urasenke New Year’s Tea Party. The Japanese party also made a proposal of appointing Liu Deyou consultant of Sado Urasenke Beijing Association.

7. On April 10, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA and Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Vice Secretary-General of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 4-member delegation led by Seiichi Watanabe, the relative of Lu Xun’s friend Seiichi Ota. Liu Deyou expressed his gratitude to Seiichi Watanabe for presenting the manuscript of “Epitaph” written by Lu Xun as gift to Beijing Luxun Museum, and suggested that CICA invite famous Chinese calligraphers to inscribe on the monument in honor of Lu Xun in Japan.

8. From April 19 to May 19, under the arrangement of CICA, a 30-member delegation from Guangxi Liuzhou Folk Art Troupe attended the International Folk Arts Festival in Belgium and France at the invitation of the organizing committee of Belgium Folk Arts Festival and France-China Culture Association.

9. From May 11 to 13, CICA held the 3-day “Heineken Beat 2001 Summer Music Festival” at Beijing Ritan Park in cooperation with Beijing YiRen Culture and Art Exchange Center.

10. On June 12, Alexander Gewaluke Solo Piano Concert jointly hosted by CICA and Nippon Music Foundation was held at the Forbidden City Concert Hall.

11. From June 29 to July 10, a 5-member delegation led by Liu Deyou, former Vice Minister of Culture and Executive Vice Chairman of CICA paid a visit to Hungary and the Netherlands at the invitation of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association and Netherlands-China Friendship Association. During their 10-day visit, the delegation established contacts with the influential persons and organizations enthusiastic in civil cultural exchanges, and discussed the possibility of forging regular work contacts and reaching intentions on some feasible exchange projects and channels in addition to working talks with the above two countries. This visit formed part of the 2001 international cultural exchange program of the Ministry of Culture. International travelling expenses of the visit are borne by CICA, and the board, lodging, transportation and other expenses abroad are borne by the inviting party.

12. From June 29 to July 10, a 5-member delegation led by Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA visited Hungary and the Netherlands at the invitation of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association and Netherlands-China Friendship Association. The delegation established contacts with the influential persons and organizations enthusiastic in civil cultural exchange, and discussed the possibility of forging regular work contacts and reaching intentions on some feasible exchange projects and channels in addition to working talks with the above two countries. During the visit, the delegation also signed the formal letter of intent with Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association.

13. On July 9, Haruhisa Handa and Yuan Xikun Art Exhibition hosted by CICA was opened at Beijing Jintai Art Museum. The exhibition displayed the paintings of Haruhisa Handa, Japanese famous artist and entrepreneur, and Yuan Xikun, famous Chinese painter. Gu Xiulian, Vice Chairman of All-China Women’s Federation, Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA and Li Gang, Vice Minister of Information Office of the State Council attended the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the exhibition. Feng Yuan, Director of Department of Arts of Ministry of Culture, Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Vice Secretary-General of CICA, and directors of CICA also attended the opening ceremony.

14. On July 12, the reception in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of CICA was held in Beijing. At the reception, CICA has reviewed its achievements and progress over the past 15 years since the establishment of CICA. Sun Jiazheng, Minister of Culture, Zhu Muzhi, Chairman of CICA, Zhou Weizhi, Chairman of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and Vice Chairman of CICA, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA, Zeng Jianhui, Vice Chairman of CICA, Chen Xinren, Lv Zhixian, Chen Changben and Zhou Erfu, former Ministers of Ministry of Culture, Meng Xiaosi, Vice Minister of Culture, Zhao Shaohua, Secretary-General of State Council Information Office, senior officials at all levels in Ministry of Culture, Directors of CICA, social groups which have long-term cooperative relations with CICA and some foreign diplomats in China attended the reception. Some foreign friends also paid a special trip to China to attend the reception.

15. On July 13, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Murakami Tatsumi, Director of Japan-China Friendship Center at Ministry of Culture. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity. Murakami Tatsumi was invited by CICA to attend the reception in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of CICA.

16. On July 13, Meng Xiaosi, Vice Minister of Culture met with Murakami Tatsumi, Director of Japan-China Friendship Center and Itou Tomoko, Chairman of Japan Theatre Association at Ministry of Culture. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations was present at the meeting. Murakami Tatsumi and Itou Tomoko were invited by CICA to attend the press conference in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of CICA.

17. On July 13, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Itou Tomoko, Chairman of Japan Theatre Association at Ministry of Culture. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations was present at the meeitng and banquet. Itou Tomoko was invited by CICA to attend the reception in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the establishment of CICA.

18. On July 19, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 6-member delegation headed by Hashima, Vice Chairman of Netherlands-China Friendship Association at Ministry of Culture. Pu Tong, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations was present at the meeting and banquet. Whilst renewing friendship, the two parties exchanged opinions on the future exchange projects among other issues.

19. On July 25, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Zhang Tinghong, Chairman of Dutch Chinese Restaurant Association and his delegation at Ministry of Culture. Sun Nansheng, Inspector of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the event. Both parties held talks on the future exchange issues.

20. On August 6, Tian Dan, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations met with and hosted a banquet for the 8-member delegation led by Cai Mingjin, Head of Thailand Boda Little Emissary Art Troup at Ministry of Culture. The Thailand Boda Little Emissary Art Troupe was invited by CICA to participate in the International Folk Arts Festival and the 3rd Zhaojun Culture Festival in Hohhot at their own expenses.

21. From August 4 to 12, Thailand Boda Little Emissary Art Troupe visited China to participate in the International Folk Arts Festival and the 3rd Zhaojun Culture Festival at their own expenses at the invitation of CICA. Performance presented by the troupe was warmly welcomed by the audiences and covered by a number of local newspapers.

22. From August 10 to 14, the 8th Beijing International Accordion Festival hosted by CICA was successfully held in Beijing. The opening ceremony of the festival was held on August 10. Yin Zhiliang, Director-General of General Office in Ministry of Culture and Li Hui, Director-General of Eastern European and Central Asian Affairs in Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the opening ceremony.

23. On August 8, Li Dongwen, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations met with and hosted a banquet for Rudland, Director of Lausanne Children’s Theatre at Ministry of Culture. Rudland was on a special trip to discuss the future cooperation with China Children’s Art Theatre. Both parties discussed the future exchange issues.

24. On August 13, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 3-member delegation of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association headed by Janos. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Sun Nansheng, Inspector of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the event. The delegation visited China for a collaborative film production with International Culture Exchange Center in Ministry of Culture.

25. On August 21, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 3-member delegation of Hungary-China Economic and Cultural Exchanges Development Association headed by Yanos. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and Sun Nansheng, Inspector Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity. The delegation visited China for a collaborative film production with International Culture Exchange Center in Ministry of Culture.

26. On August 24, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with the 6-member Japanese delegation of the 1st Sino-Japanese Band Music Celebrations headed by Sugiyama at Ministry of Culture. Sun Nansheng, Inspector of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the meeting. The Japanese delegation made a special trip to Beijing to attend the 1st China-Japan Band Music Celebrations.

27. The 1st Sino-Japanese Band Music Party jointly held by CICA and Japan Band Music Instructor Association was successfully held in Beijing from August 25 to 26. The opening ceremony was held at Beijing Century Theatre on August 25. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA attended and addressed the ceremony. Sun Nansheng, Inspector of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity.

28. On September 13, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Junichi Saito, new president of Japan Artistic Design Association at Ministry of Culture. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity.

29. On September 21, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with Japan-China friendly personage Masahisa Suganuma at Ministry of Culture.

30. On September 26, Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Ikeda Shunichi, President of Fukuoka Corporate Scheme Corporation and his delegation at Ministry of Culture. Pu Tong, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity. Ikeda Shunichi was invited by CICA for meetings with CICA leadership.

31. On October 9, Traditional Crafts Exhibition of Republic of Korea jointly hosted by China International Exhibition Agency and other departments was held at Beijing National Arts and Crafts Museum. The exhibition provided a platform for the people of Beijing to experience the traditional craftsmanship with strong national features, but also enhanced the understanding of the culture of ROK among the Chinese public. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA attended the opening ceremony. Some directors of CICA also attended the event.

32. On October 9, China-Switzerland Folk Arts Exhibition jointly held by China International Exhibition Agency and other departments was held at Beijing Working People’s Culture Palace. The exhibition provided a platform for the people of Beijing to experience the folk art with distinct national features, but also enhanced the understanding of the Swedish culture among the Chinese public. Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA attended the opening ceremony. Some directors of CICA also attended the event.

33. From October 21 to 29, under the arrangement of CICA, a 10-member art group of Chinese Performers Chamber Orchestra from China Nationalities Orchestra Society visited Portugal and presented concerts at the invitation of Portugal's Orient Foundation. The performance was warmly received by the local audiences and played a due part in promoting the national music of China and enhancing the friendship between the Chinese and Portuguese peoples.

34. From October 5 to 30, a 4-member shooting crew from Hungarian Rolicon Movie Company visited China from October 5 to 30 at the invitation of CICA, and produced TV documentary for the promotion of Beijing with new landscape, high-speed development and long-term planning as well as the acrobatics schools and lifestyle in Wuqiao, the hometown of acrobatics in Beijing and Hebei. As part of “China 2001” series of documentaries, the TV documentary is expected to be played in Hungary in three episodes. It is hoped that the TV documentary would enhance the understanding and exposure of China among the Hungarian people. The shooting crew was received by the International Culture Exchange Center in Ministry of Culture during its stay in China.

35. On October 25, Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA was interviewed by the crew from Hungarian Rolicon Movie Company at Ministry of Culture.

36. From November 13 to 18, Portuguese painter Manuel Amado Painting Exhibition jointly hosted by CICA, Portugal's Orient Foundation and Cultural Section in Portuguese Embassy in China, was held at National Art Museum of China. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA and Portuguese Ambassador Pedro Catarino attended and addressed the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 13. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and some directors of CICA attended the activities.

37. From November 15 to 20 , “2001 Beijing International Jazz Collection” hosted by CICA and undertaken by Beijing YiRen Culture and Art Exchange Center was successfully held in Beijing. Four bands from the United States, Lebanon and Sweden shared the stage in Beijing, and brought a series of special exotic Jazz concerts to the Beijing audiences.

38. On November 16, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with Mrs. Elian Pidou, China-Switzerland friendly personage and Vice President of Swiss ICA Company and her delegation at Ministry of Culture. Dong Junxin, Deputy Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity. Both parties held working talks on art exhibitions and opera exchanges.

39. On November 27, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 4-member delegation led by Siwone Nakahara, Taeko Arita, principals of Sado Urasenke Beijing Association at Ministry of Culture. Xie Jinying, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity.

40. On November 30, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for the 3-member delegation headed by Eisai, new Consul Counselor of Japanese Embassy to China at Ministry of Culture. Xie Jinying, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations and related principals of Asian Affairs, Visa and Passport Affairs attended the activity. The year 2002 marks the 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, cultural exchange between China and Japan would be one of the highlights in celebration of the occasion. At the meeting, the parties have reached a consensus on providing conveniences and facilitation in visa applications for personnel who would be heading for Japan for cultural exchanges.

41. On December 18, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA met with and hosted a banquet for Tadahiko Kenjiro, Director of Japan Youth Culture Center and his delegation at Ministry of Culture. Xie Jinying, Assistant Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended the activity.