The years 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of friendship-province ties between Guangdong Province and British Columbia of Canada and the 20th anniversary of friendship-city ties between Guangzhou and Vancouver. To celebrate the anniversaries, at the invitation of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, a 42-member delegation composed of influential Chinese Canadians in British Columbia organized by the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver paid a goodwill visit to Guangzhou from March 18 to 22.
On March 20, artists from the Guangdong Opera Theatre, the First Guangdong Opera Troupe and the Guangdong Opera Troupe of Guangzhou together with performers from the Jin Wah Sing Chinese Musical of Vancouver and another Vancouver Guangdong opera troupe gave performances of highlights from six famous Guangdong operas including A Loyal Sword, Pavilion of Peony, and Dream of Red Chamber in the Guangzhou Friendship Theatre where more than 1,300 seats were fully occupied that night. Over two hours’ excellent performances won cheers and warm applause from the audience. After the performance, Mr. C. Chuck Chang, deputy head of the delegation, said excitedly, “Tonight’s joint performance is a great success. It is our great honour that amateur performers of our province can perform together with famous artists of Guangdong opera in Guangdong. It is our unshirkable duty to carry forward the excellent traditional Chinese and Guangdong culture. We will spare no efforts to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between British Columbia, Canada and Guangdong Province. Though we are of Canadian nationality, in our veins flows Chinese blood.”


