Canadian pop superstar Celine Dion is to perform on the Chinese mainland for the first time, with a concert at the 50,000-seat Shanghai Stadium on April 11.

"I am excited about my upcoming first ever Chinese mainland concerts in April," Dion said via video link on Wednesday.

"I look forward to presenting you with a wonderful performance. I can't wait to see everyone in Shanghai."

The Shanghai concert is part of the artist's "Taking Chances" world tour. Dubbed as "the best selling female artist in the world," Dion has sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, according to figures released by her record company Sony BMG.

She is also one of the best known Western pop singers in China. In 1999, she held a sold-out concert at the old Kai Tak airport runway in Hong Kong.

Tickets for her Shanghai concert, ranging from 300 yuan (US$41) to 3,000 yuan, are now on sale on 400-707-9999 or at www.emma.cn.

Concert organizer Emma Entertainment said Dion will perform most of her best-known songs, including "My Heart Will Go On," from the 1997 blockbuster film "Titanic."

Emma Entertainment CEO Jonathan Krane said the concert would also be a celebration of the upcoming Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

Meanwhile, Dion, who will also perform in Beijing on April 13, has submitted an entry in the Beijing Olympics theme song competition.

"We are delighted to have Celine, who has sung a widely praised song for a previous Olympics, involved," said Kan Ke, deputy director of the culture and ceremony department of the Olympics organizing committee.

Dion sang "The Power of the Dream" at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

More than 30 artists have submitted songs.

"What the theme song will be will remain secret until August 8, when the Games open," Kan said.

(Shanghai Daily January 17, 2008)