Activities held by CICA from the establishment on July 3, 1986 to 1996.

1986

1. On July 3, the establishment of China International Culture Association was announced at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chu Tunan, Vice Chairman in the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress attended the inaugural meeting. Zhu Muzhi, Chairman of CICA introduced the mission of CICA in his address and pointed out that China International Culture Association, a national social organization engaged in international cultural exchanges and a supporting channel to governmental cultural exchanges, is dedicated to multi-channeled, multi-dimensional and diversified people-to-people interactions through non-governmental exchange programs. Wang Meng, Minister of Ministry of Culture attended the meeting and expressed his congratulations. Zhang Jinshu, Secretary-General of CICA reported the preparations for the establishment of CICA and elaborated on the Articles of CICA. Liu Deyou, Teng Teng, Qi Huaiyuan, Xie Wenqing, Cheng Siyuan, Liu Jianqing and principals in charge were invited to the meeting. Wang Lanxi, Lv Zhixian, Chen Xinren, Yu Wen, Luo Jun, Zhou Weizhi and Yao Zhongming were elected Vice Chairmen of CICA. Meanwhile, 16 executive directors and 70 directors were appointed.

1987

1. In June, Mr. Ahmed, Secretary-General of Morocco-China Friendship Association visited China at the invitation of CICA. After returning to his country, Mr. Ahmed actively introduced China and he provided valuable support to the events organized by the Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in Morocco.

1988

1. A 4-member delegation sent by CICA visited Benin, Mauritius and Tanzania at the beginning of the year. After the on-site studies, CICA decided to set up cultural centers in Benin and Mauritius as the overseas offices of CICA to enhance people-to-people exchanges with Benin and Mauritius.

2. In July, China Cultural Center in Mauritius was officially completed. A 5-member delegation headed by Chen Xinren, Vice Chairman of CICA, attended the inauguration of the Center. The delegation included officials from the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, Department of Administration and Bureau for External Cultural Relations of Ministry of Culture. Chen Xinren and his delegation visited Seychelles, Madagascar and French overseas province Reunion after attending the opening ceremony. Chen Xinren also visited Bangkok at the invitation of Thai Overseas Chinese Federation.

3. In September, China Cultural Center in Benin was officially completed. A CICA delegation headed by Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA, attended the inauguration.

1989

1. The Central Orchestra Youth Chorus visited Japan under the arrangement of CICA. The visit and performance have provided an opportunity for children of the two countries to learn about and communicate with each other for friendship.

2. In May, CICA hosted the International Arts Festival in Shenzhen and Zhuhai. Over 10 countries sent art groups to the festival, including the United States, France, Turkey and Zaire, etc. Galina Ulanova, ballet master from Former Soviet Union also attended the festival upon invitation.

1990

1. In September, the Central Orchestra Youth Chorus visited Austria under the arrangement of CICA. The performance was well received and widely acclaimed in Austria.

1991

1. In March and June, CICA received the visits by Takashi Nakamura, the famous ceramist in Japan. Journalists from People People’s China made a full coverage of the visits.

2. In May, CICA hosted the concert for the winning works of “The Silk Road Strings Composition Competition in Japan”. Over 100 Chinese and Japanese musicians attended the performance. Mr. Dan Ikuma, famous composer in Japan, conducted the concert.

3. In June, CICA received a 4–member delegation headed by Raquel, performance manager of Titana in France. The delegation made a tour of studies on the Chinese acrobatics and Sichuan Opera.

4. In July, 1991 and September, 1992, CICA invited journalists from TV Asahi to shoot in Tibet. The footages were later broadcast in the Japanese TV stations and contributed to a better exposure of Tibet in Japan.

5. On September 9, the photographic exhibition on the Cultures of Confucius and Mencius, jointly hosted by CICA, Shandong International Culture Association, Dongfang International Photography Art Foundation and Shandong TV Station, was held at National Museum of History in Beijing. About 1800 photographs were showcased in the exhibition. Many diplomatic envoys in China and personages in the culture and art circle in Beijing attended the opening ceremony.

6. In October, CICA received the kimono delegation from Japan and also organized the Japanese kimono show at the Century Theatre in Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Centre in Beijing.

7. From October 24 to November 4, Mr. Halage, General Manager and Chief Editor of Dade Magazine in Syria visited China at the invitation of CICA. Mr. and Mrs. Halage visited Beijing, Qingdao, Jinan and Xi’an. After returning to Syria, he published a large number of articles introducing the history of China as well as the reform and opening-up in China in the magazine.

8. In November, Attila Mani Zadeh, famous Turkish singer visited China at the invitation of CICA. He visited Beijing, Taiyuan, Xi’an, Shanghai and other cities, and held concerts in Beijing and Taiyuan.

9. In October, Augarde, former Minister of Public Information in France visited China at the invitation of CICA. In 1993, he organized a China visit for over 20 senior senators who enjoyed strong influence in France. Their visit to China played an active role in eliminating the biased opinions of the Western media on China.

10. In December, a CICA delegation headed by Chen Xinren, Vice Chairman of CICA, visited the Philippines at the invitation of the mayor of Manila Makati. The delegation was received by high-ranking officials of the Philippines.

1992

1. On January 10, CICA was re-registered at Ministry of Civil Affairs as a national social organization.

2. In September, a concert of the Grasshopper Band for the 8th National Winter Games was hosted by CICA in Shanghai in collaboration with Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Shanghai Ballet.

3. From September 12 to October 11, China International Culture Association and Dongfang International Photography Art Foundation jointly hosted the Cultures of Confucius and Mencius Photography Exhibition in San Francisco, United States at the invitation of Nanhai Art Center. The exhibition showcased 150 photographs, album of the Great Confucius and folk artworks from the hometown of Confucius. A 5-member delegation led by Feng Deying, Chairman of Shandong Writers Association and his delegation visited the United States and attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

4. On November 20, CICA held the recitation and appreciation of Chinese poetry and Japanese classics at Beijing International Club in cooperation with the Institute for International Business Communication in Japan.

5. In November, a CICA delegation led by Chen Xinren, Vice Chairman of CICA, visited Japan.

6. In November, China & the World Cultural Exchange, publicity materials of CICA, was launched. The

1993

1. From January 4 to March 1, a 35-member delegation from Chengdu Sichuan Opera Troupe visited France and Switzerland under the auspices of CICA, and presented commercial performances for nearly two months in Switzerland. This was the first time that China sent troupes of local opera to Europe. The Troupe’s performances were well received among the public.

2. In February, CICA and China Exhibition Centre jointly held Rodin Art Exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. The exhibition was highly praised by the public and personalities in the art circle in China.

3. From April 7 to 16, a delegation from Makati, the Philippines, paid a 10-day friendly visit to China at the invitation of CICA. The delegation visited Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Xiamen and other cities.

4. In April, CICA hosted a Piano Concert by artists of China, Japan and Republic of Korea in cooperation with Beijing Global Cultural Services Company.

5. From May 25 to June 3, a 3-member delegation headed by Chairman of Belgian Culture and Arts Company visited China at the invitation of CICA. They watched Chinese opera, puppetry, acrobatics and other shows in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou during their visit, and discussed with relevant departments the intention of organizing Chinese art groups for commercial performances in Belgium and the neighboring countries.

6. In July, CICA and the Bureau for Children’s Affairs of Ministry of Culture jointly organized a training course for children’s folk dance instructors. Chinese dance teachers from Canada, Singapore and other countries as well as dance teachers from public art centers and cultural centers in Henan, Shandong, Xinjiang and other 7 provinces, cities and autonomous regions participated in the training course.

7. In July, a 35-member art group from Japanese Hosenko Dance Troupe, led by Mrs. Yang Ling, an overseas Chinese residing in Japan, presented three performances in Beijing at the invitation of CICA and the Academy of Culture.

8. In August, CICA hosted the First China International Calligraphy and Painting Exposition jointly with China Calligraphers Association, China Artists Association and other 8 institutions. General Secretary Jiang Zemin and Premier Li Peng visited the exposition. Li Lanqing, Vice Premier of the State Council, Li Tieying, State Councilor and representative Vice Chairmen of NPC attended the opening ceremony.

9. From September 12 to 22, 5-member CICA delegation headed by Zhu Muzhi, Chairman of CICA paid a friendly visit to the Republic of Korea at the invitation of the Culture and Art Promotion Agency of ROK. The visit played a positive role in enhancing the friendship between the two peoples and people-to-people cultural exchanges between the two countries.

10. In October, CICA hosted “China International Tobacco Package and Spark Fair” in Shenzhen in cooperation with China National Tobacco Corporation and China Tobacco Society. Collectors from home and abroad, such as Singapore, Japan, Taiwan region etc, participated in the fair.

1994

1. From April 19 to 27, CICA received the 5-member delegation led by Lee Seng-jae, President of the Culture and Art Promotion Agency of ROK. Bu He, Vice Chairman of NPC met the delegation.

2. From June 6 to 20, under the arrangement of CICA, Xindu Furonghua Sichuan Opera Troupe attended the Nordic Art Festival in Finland, Denmark and Sweden at the invitation of Finland Kuopio International Art Festival and Scandinavian Peninsula International Organizing Committee. The Sichuan opera troupe performed the traditional highlights such as Wu Song Killing His Sister-in-law, Releasing Pei Yu, Waking from Dreams and Rolling of Lights. The performances were widely acclaimed by the audiences and artists of the three countries.

3. In September, “The International Calligraphy Exhibition” hosted by CICA and China Calligraphers Association was held at Beijing Working People’s Culture Palace. Jointly initiated by the calligraphy organizations in China, ROK and Japan, the exhibition selected 412 calligraphy works out of nearly 4000 entries. Wang Guangying and Cheng Siyuan, Honorary Directors of the Organizing Committee and Vice Chairmen of NPC, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

4. From September 7 to 19, CICA received a 30-member delegation of Peking Opera lovers in Japan, and organized friendly performance for them in Beijing and Xi’an.

5. From September 19 to 28, CICA held the world-renowned international competition–China International Piano Competition after a-year-and-a-half cooperation with Beijing International Culture Association, CCTV and three other departments. 44 players from 14 countries and regions as well as 12 world famous piano experts and educators from 8 countries and regions participated in the competition as well as the evaluation and judgment. General Secretary Jiang Zemin, Vice Premier Tian Jiyun and Wang Guangying, Vice Chairman of NPC inscribed for the competition. Li Tieying, Vice Chairman of NPC attended the piano concert of the winning players.

6. From October 3 to 30, a 55-member art group from Hubei Provincial Opera and Dance Drama Theatre visited France for commercial performances under the arrangement of CICA. The repertoire was entitled The Chime of Bells.

7. From October 5 to 10, an 8-member Japanese group of Chinese poetry recitation organized by Institute for International Business Communication in Japan visited China at the invitation of CICA. The group performed at the Central Academy of Drama on October 8. Vice Minister of Culture Liu Deyou attended and addressed the opening ceremony.

8. From November 19 to 28, CICA received the visit of Lucette Laurent Chereau, manager of French Art Promotion Company. Ms. Laurent Chereau watched the selected programs presented by some academies and troupes in China, and discussed cooperation with the art academies and troupes in China.

9. From November 28 to December 28, Shenyang Acrobatic Troupe participated in the “Paris International Star Circus Festival” and “Christmas Performances” under the arrangement of CICA.

10. From December 28, 1994 to January 2, 1995, CICA hosted “China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Hong Kong Art Exchange Exhibition” in cooperation with Hong Kong Wulingzhuang Arts Association and China International Public Relations Association in Beijing. A total of 258 art works were displayed at the exhibition.

1995

1. Beijing Yihai Cultural Development Company under the administration of the Labor Union of the Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture, became an affiliation of CICA at the beginning of the year.

2. From February 16 to March 2, CICA received the visit of Edmond De Burgh, Administrative Director of Weaving Art Foundation in Belgian French-speaking region and wall tapestry expert. Mr. De Burgh visited Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou, Shanghai and other three cities, toured the Academy of Fine Arts, the Silk Museum and some silk manufactures, communicated with related departments, institutions and craftsmen, and discussed the possibility of holding “China Silk Culture Exhibition” in Tournai, Belgium.

3. From April 7 to 15, the “Chinese Art Week” was held in Saint Denis, capital city of Reunion, French overseas province, under the auspices of CICA. The exhibition mainly showcased the double-sided embroidery, paper cutting, bamboo weaving, iron painting as well as other folk art works and paintings, magic shows as well as photography exhibition reflecting China’s achievements of reform and opening-up. The exhibition was very well received among the locals, especially among the Chinese. Government of Saint Denis and the news media made a wide coverage of the exhibition. The mayor attended and addressed the events on many occasions. The Chinese artists were interviewed by TV and radio stations.

4. On April 10, Sir Edward Heath, former British Prime Minister presented 5000 pieces copies of Romantic China, hardcover photograph collection albums shot by British Photographer Antoine Osmond Evans as a gift to Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs at Beijing Peninsula Hotel. The photos reflect the folklore and scenery landscape of China. CICA representative was present at the presentation ceremony.

5. On May 15, CICA hosted “China, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States Piano Concert” at the Beijing Concert Hall. Liu Deyou, Vice Chairman of CICA attended the concert and Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA delivered a congratulatory message before the concert.

6. From May 20 to 25, Kridas, Chairman of Kridas Performing Company in Greece visited China with his wife at the invitation of CICA.

7. From May 24 to June 9, CICA received the visit of Mrs. La Vidal, French Photographer and her husband. The main purpose for the visit of Mrs. Vidal was to collect materials related to Peking Opera facial make-up and make-up art so as to make a special album of Chinese Peking Opera. Mrs. La Vidal visited China again at the end of November during which she made a special trip to China Peking Opera Festival held in Tianjin in preparations for the said album.

8. From June 4 to 12, Lv Zhixian, a 4-member Chinese cultural delegation headed by Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA, paid a friendly visit to Colombia at the invitation of Colombia Committee. De La Calle, Vice President of Colombia, met the delegation. Mr. Murcia, Chairman of Colombia Culture Committee met with and hosted a banquet for the delegation.

9. On October 24, the French Manfred String Quarter Concert was held at the Beijing Concert Hall under the auspices of CICA. The Band was impressed with the responses from the audience, the reception and performance arrangement in China.

10. From October, 1995 to March, 1996, a 12-member delegation from Fujian Acrobatic Troupe participated in the tour performance with the circus in Italy under the arrangement of CICA. The performance was widely welcomed by the local audience.

11. In November, CICA hosted the Chinese Five Millennium Civilization Exhibition in Peru and France successively. The exhibition featured China’s achievements in ancient and modern technologies, culture and arts, architecture, ceramics, paintings and clothing. The exhibition in Peru was so far China’s largest comprehensive culture exhibition held abroad. 140,000 person-time audiences in Peru visited the exhibition. A delegation led by Lv Zhixian, Vice Chairman of CICA, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition in Peru. The exhibition showed in France was also large. Li Tieying, member of the Political Bureau and State Councilor who was leading a delegation to visit France at that time, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. The exhibitions aim at introducing China’s old traditional and modern culture to peoples of Peru and France.

12. On November 9, the 3rd Beijing International Children’s Painting Exhibition, hosted by CICA and China Association for Children’s Arts and China Exhibition Exchange Center, was held at Beijing Working People’s Culture Palace. Children’s works from over 100 countries and regions were displayed in the exhibition.

1996

1. From January 26 to March 30, under the arrangement of CICA, a 17-member art group from Southwest Acrobatic Troupe CICA presented a tour performance in the United States at the invitation of Canadian Huayang Trading and Culture Co., Ltd.

2. From April 29 to May 10, a 3-member study group from Jiangsu International Culture Association organized and sent by China International Culture Association visited the “2000 China Silk Exhibition” held in Belgium at the invitation of Weaving Art Foundation in Tournai, Belgium, and visited France on their way at the invitation of Nouvelles d'Europe in France

3. From May 4 to 19, an 11-member delegation composed of personages in the cultural, educational and economic circles in Malaysia visited China at the invitation of CICA. The delegation visited Beijing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Kaifeng, Luoyang, Chengde and other cities.

4. From June 27 to July 7, under the arrangement of CICA, a 32-member art group from Military Band of People’s Liberation Army attended the International Military Music Festival in France at the invitation of International Performing Company in France.

5. From June 28 to July 18, under the arrangement of CICA, Shenzhen Children’s Art Troupe visited Togo, Benin and France at the invitation of the mayor of Lome, Togo, Chairman of Sino-Togo Friendship Association, Ministry of Culture and Communication of Benin as well as the organizing committee of 9th International Children’s Art Festival in France.

6. In October, CICA hosted the Photography Exhibition of China in the Eye of Foreigners.

7. In November, CICA hosted the 2nd International Calligraphy Exhibition initiated by China, Republic of Korea, Japan in Seoul, ROK.