** About China National Song and Dance Ensemble

The China National Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in February 1996, a merger of former Central Song and Dance Ensemble of China and Light Music Orchestra of China. The former Central Song and Dance Ensemble of China was established in December 1952.

Since 1996, the new Ensemble has staged many song and dance performances as well as music pieces, including dances Charming Xishuangbanna, Girls from Northeast China, Hui'an girls, Hailing the Advent of Spring, Heart Fountain and Spring on the Plateau; music Dragon Boats, One More Look At You, Good, Evil and Ugly, Going Home, Harvest Rhymes and the performances of the Women's Pluck-stringed Music Orchestra such wishes, One China, One Goal and Swinging Bridal Sedan. The Ensemble has toured Malaysia, Japan, Russia and the regions of Hong Kong and Macao since 1996.

The Ensemble has fostered a great number of famous artists such as Dai Ailian.

** About Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble

The Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble was founded in January 1962 at the suggestion and care of late Premier Zhou Enlai and Vice-Premier Chen Yi.

Representative performances of the Ensemble are as the following: four evening parties of foreign songs and dances (including Sri Lanka dance: Jar Dance, Bangladeshi dance Foot-bell, Argentina dance: Festival of Plateau and Ethiopia dance: Heyaja); two concerts: The Magic of Oriental Music and Voice of Oriental; classical music opera: The Sound of Music; two Chinese national folk song and dance parties (including dances: Walking in Qing Court, Long Tassel flower Drum and Music of Heaven); foreign cultural Glamour Party (including Brazilian Samba and Hawaii Hula-hula); Hello, My Friend, Beautiful World (awarded the 8thWenhua Prize of the Ministry of Culture of China); Oriental Flower Evening Party (including Egyptian dance: Happy Nile and the Young Holiday), etc.

The Ensemble has paid visits to more than 70 countries and regions in the world and made great contribution to the enrichment of Chinese people's cultural lives and promotion international cultural exchanges.

The Ensemble is a cradle for sophisticated artists, with more than 80 of its staff with senior professional titles and 12 awarded special allowances from the State Council.