Chinese children's art troupe to perform in Sri Lanka

A leading Chinese children's art troupe will perform in Sri Lanka next week as both countries celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations, organizers said on Tuesday.

The Nanjing Little Red Flower Dance Troupe will be performing in Sri Lanka for the first time and the event will see over 20 children displaying their skills in various dance forms.

"The event will be held from September 30 to October 1 at the Nelum Pokuna Theater and will be free of charge for the public. A special school show has also been arranged. This event will help strengthen the cultural ties between both countries," President of the Sri Lanka China Journalists' Forum, Nalin Aponso, told reporters.

He said that several attempts were made to stage the event in Sri Lanka much earlier but owing to various constraints it had to be postponed.

In 1978 the Nanjing Little Red Flower Dance Troupe became the first Chinese children's art troupe to visit a foreign country and since then it has performed in Europe, Asia, America and Africa.

Ren Faqiang, the Political Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said that the cultural event will help further strengthen the relationship between China and Sri Lanka.

He also recalled that the past few weeks have been significant for China-Sri Lanka relations with several top officials from China, including the top legislator, the Defence Minister and Sports Minister, visiting the country.