Famous Chinese artists gave a tremendous show in Antananarivo on Sunday evening, which won warm applauses by more than 5,000 audience members.

Senior Madagascan officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ranjeva Marcel, wife of the Prime, Charles Rabemananjara, and Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar, Mr. Li Shuli, were present at the show.

As an expression of gratitude to overseas Chinese community, the special performance was jointly organized by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office under State Council of the People's Republic of China, China Overseas Exchange Association, the Chinese Embassy and the Chinese Business and Trade Association in Madagascar.

The show, the first in the last 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relation between China and Madagascar in 1972, was divided into two parts with famous Madagascan artists occupying the first part and the Chinese artists appeared on the second.

Great Chinese artists, including Yang Jiqiang, famous erhu player, Cheng Zhi, a tenorist, Dong Wenhua, a well-known soprano, Cai Guoqing, a pop star, Wei Jindong, a first-class tenorist and Li Ning, a magician who was the only Asian gold winner in Monte Carlo, showed their talent and arts which were highly appreciated by mixed Chinese and Madagascan audience.

These artists shared traditional Chinese songs and music with emotional Chinese audience while the Madagascans, appreciating each performance, tried to enjoy the festival atmosphere.

Madagascans were especially interested in and mostly long-awaited Li Ning's magic trick, which led them staring fixedly.

The show was also organized to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

The objective of the performance was to extend the relationship by cultural exchange so as to allow the two countries to understand each other further.

Madagascar is the first step for the Chinese artists, who arrived in Antananarivo just after midnight on Saturday, in its four-nation tour in Africa, which will also take them to Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa.

The 15-member Chinese delegation is scheduled to leave Antananarivo for Mauritius next Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2007)