1. From January 11to February 22, a group of Austrian music critics and TV crewsvisited Beijing at the invitation of CICA to prepare for the visit of China National Orchestra to Austria.

2. From January 6 to 14, a 5-member cultural delegation headed by Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA, visited the Philippines at the invitation of the PhilippineCultural Workers and Artists Association. This visit was organized under the patronage of the Division of Asian Affairs in association with the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture.

3. From January 26 to February 5, a 90-member art group from China National Orchestra visited Austriaand presented the Chinese Lunar New Year Eve Concert at Vienna Musikvereinunder the auspices of CICA. CCTV rebroadcasted the performance. This was the first time that China National Orchestra performed at the world-renowned Musikverein. The performance was widely acclaimed by the audiences. This event was organized by the Division of Western European Affairs under the coordination of the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture. .

4. From January 31 to February 16, under the arrangement of CICA, a 14-member delegation of “Chinese Spring Festival Art Troupeof Renowned Artists”presented tour performances in France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium at the invitation of the EuropeanQingtian Native Association.

5. In support of the Wihan Sian in Thailand, CICA presented publications on Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shihuang, Confucius and other historical figures as gifts. Large stone sculptures made based on such materials are now on display in Wihan Sian.

6. From February 5 to 6, a 5-member delegation attended the Asia-Europe Cultural Forumin France under the auspices of CICA. This event was hosted by the Division of Multilateral Affairs under the coordination of the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture.

7. On February 20, a 4-member music group from Norwegian Chamber Orchestravisited China at the invitation of CICA, and presented performance withFemale Quartet "Qing Mei Jing Yue” at Beijing Theatre. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of China International Culture Association as well as ambassadors from Norway and Israel were present at the performance. CCTV interviewed Liu Deyou and the ambassadors, and made a special program for the visiting Norwegian music group.

8. From February 14 to 15, a 15-member delegation from Japanese Peking Opera Research Institutevisited China at the invitation of CICA, and presented special performance at Huguang Assembly Hall. China’s famous Peking Opera artists and representatives from relevant drama and opera companies as well as amateur performers watched the performance.

9. In March, Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of China International Culture Association paid a 3-month working visit toJapan at the invitation of Japan Foundation.

10. CICA presented a number of publications to Chiang Mai Cultural Centre through Consulate General in Chiang Mai, including literature works and books on the history, culture, education, customs and other aspects of China. Former Vice Minister of Ministry of Culture in Thailand and around 200 experts on Chinastudies attended the book donation ceremony.

11. In order to promote China’s traditional culture and the arts, CICA presented 18 calligraphy works by China’s renowned calligrapher Liu Bingsen and others to Wihan Sian in Thailand as gifts. The works was decorated with gold lacquer and hung on the pillars in the central hall as a symbol of eternal friendship between China and Thailand. The Chinese Ambassador in Thailand hosted thepresentation ceremony on behalf of CICA, and the event was covered by local new media.

12. In cooperation with Chia Tai Group in Thailand, CICA launched a feature program of Into the World of Dragonat Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5. The program is played once a week with duration of 30 minutes. CICA provided complimentary footages on the culture, history, customs and traditions of China in facilitation of the program.

13. From April to July, under the arrangement of CICA, Inner Mongolia National Theatre performed in Japan at the invitation of Japan Inc. This project was undertaken by Beijing Yihai Cultural Development Company.

14. From April, 1998 to February, 1999, under the arrangement of CICA, Tangshan Shadow Puppet Troupevisited Japan for performances at the invitation of Japan Shadow Puppet Troupe. This project was undertaken by Beijing Yihai Cultural Development Company.

15. From April 2 to 7, a 4-member delegation led by Mauclaire from Disneyland in France visited China at the invitation of CICA toselect programsin Beijing, Kunming, Tangshan and other places.

16. From May 29 to June 15, a 21-member delegation from Vancouver Oriental Art Association in Canadavisited China at the invitation of CICA. The delegation visited Beijing, Xi’an and Dunhuang, etc.

17. In celebration of the International Children’s Day, Japanese Little Bear Puppet Troupeperformed in China for the third time at the invitation of CICA, and presented a 2-week performance in Shanghai and Hangzhou.

18. A 3-member delegation from Russian International Ecological Company paid a one-week visit to China at the invitation of CICA. This event was organized by the Division of Eastern European and Central Asian Affairs under the coordination of the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture.

19. At the invitation of CICA, Curator of the Argentine Museum of Oriental Art visited China with his wife. This event was organized by the Division of Latin American Affairs under the coordination of the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture.

20. A 6-member delegation headed by Chairman of Malaysia Chinese Culture Association visited China and discussed future cooperation between CICA where an agreement was reached on the holding of an art exhibition for established painters of various ethnicities in Malaysia the following year.

21. In commemoration of the 20th anniversary ofthe Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japanand P.R. China, CICA jointly presented “the Chinese Music Evening” in cooperation with Japan Fukuoka Corporate Scheme Corporation. CICA sent a 9-member national music group fromCentral Conservatory of Musicfor the said event in Japan. Local media covered the event.

22.From June 17 to 30, a 5-member delegation including the circus managersfrom UK and Switzerland visited China at the invitation of CICA to select programs in Dalian, Shenyang, Changchun and other places. Beijing Yihai Cultural Development Company received their visit.

23. From July 2 to 6, "1998 Sino-Japanese Calligraphy and Painting Exchange Exhibition” was held at National Museum of Chinese History under the patronage of CICA. More than 200 well-known calligraphers and painters from China and Japan participated in the exhibition.

24. From July 20 to August 27, at the invitation of CICA, an 8-member crew from TV3 (Malaysia) visited China and was received by Beijing Yihai Cultural Development Company. The crew was in China to shoot for TV series on the introduction ofChina’s history, culture and economic development in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Ningchuan, Kunming, Guilin, Hainan and Xijiang.

25. Under the arrangement of CICA, Hebei Baoding Art Troupe was intended to attend theFolk Lantern Festivalin San Francisco, the United States, but the trip was cancelled due to some unforeseeable reason.

26.From September 8 to 19, China Ceramics Exhibitionwas on display at the City Hall in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ceramic works of the exhibition were provided under the auspices of CICA.

27. On September 11, a 15-member Japanese Peking Opera Interview team visited China International Culture Association. Liu Deyou, Vice Chairman of CICA met with the Japanese guests and exchanged views on the future development of traditional opera and the revitalization of Peking Opera.

28. On September 14, CICA held the first publication ceremony of Japanese Kabuki Art. Guests of honor from China, the Japanese Embassy in China, Japan Foundation and over 40 experts on opera studies of China and Japan attended the ceremony.

29. From September 15 to 22, a 3-member delegation headed by Tamasaburo Bando, renowned Kabuki masterand friend of China visited China at the invitation of CICA. CICA organized special Peking Opera performances at Huguang Assembly Hall on September 16 to welcome Tamasaburo Bando. Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA was present the performance. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of CICA and Tian Dan, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau for External Cultural Relationsmet with and hosted a banquet for the delegation on September 18. Liu Deyou expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Tamasaburo Bando in revitalizing China’s traditional opera, and discussed future exchange and cooperation between CICA and Japanese Traditional Opera Promotion Association.

30. On September 28, a 17-member delegation fromTaku Culture Alliance in Japanvisited CICA. Liu Deyou met with the Japanese guests. He expressed his appreciation to Taku Culture Alliance fortheir reception of the Children’s Art Troupeduring their visiting performancein Japan. The culture alliance expressed their willingness to strengthen communication between the two parties in the future, and their appreciation for CICA's assistance in furthering cultural exchanges among the teenagers in particular.

31. At the invitation of CICA, Chairman ofAmerican Faculty of Arts in Spain visited China with his colleague. This event was organized by the Division of Latin American Affairs under the coordination of the Division of Folk Affairs, Ministry of Culture.

32. From October 2 to 18, a 6-member delegation from CICA headed by Zhang Hualin visited Portugal, Denmark and Switzerland, and participated in the celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of China Culture Centre in Benin.

33. From October 21 to 25, a 3-member delegation headed by Pulu, Executive Chairman of International Folk Arts Festival in France, visited China at the invitation of CICA, and discussed matters such as the participation of Chinese art groups in the arts festival in France the following year.

34. From October 24 to November 1, CICA and Japanese International Business Exchange Center jointly held “Chinese Poetry and Japanese Tanka Seminar” and “Chinese Poetry and Japanese Tanka Concert”.

35. In November, a 3-member delegation from Japan-China Drama Exchange Drama Player Association in Japan visited CICA. Mr. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairmanof China International Culture Association met with the guests. Both parties renewed their friendship,discussed the future communications and exchanged views on the upcoming drama performance of I Hear the Love in China.

36. From November 17 to 22, “1998 Beijing International Jazz Festival” Concert was held in China by CICA and Beijing YiRen Cultureand Art Exchange Center.

37. An 8-member ethnic dance group from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region presented twoperformances in France from November 27 to the middle of December at the invitation of Mr. Pulu, International Folk Arts Festival in France.

38. From November 19 to 22, two Chinese pianists participated in the 10th International Matsuzaka Exchange Concert in Japan under the arrangement of CICA.

39. From November 17 to 24, Danish State TV crew visited China to cover the 1998 Beijing International Jazz Festival in Beijing at the invitation of CICA.

40. A total of 17 calligraphy works by renowned Chinese calligraphers was presented to Wihan Sian in Thailandas gifts by CICA. CICA issued certificates to the Chinese calligraphers on December 3 at the Ministry of Culture. The certificate presentation ceremony was chaired by Dong Junxin, Assistant Director-General of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations and witnessed by the visiting delegation of Wihan Sian led by Director Guo Fengyuan. Liu Deyou, Executive Vice Chairman of China International Culture Association, Lv Zhixian, Vice Director of CICA and Li Gang, Director-General of Bureau for External Cultural Relations attended and addressed the ceremony.