Pop diva Mariah Carey was warmly welcomed in Shanghai, where she's to perform at two concerts this week.

Carey says she was surprised by the warm welcome she received in Shanghai, where she's to perform at two concerts this week, making her one of the biggest international acts ever to appear on stage on the Chinese mainland.

Carey said at a news conference Monday, a day after arriving at Shanghai's Pudong International airport, where about 100 Chinese admirers and a phalanx of cameramen greeted her, "I don't know what to expect. It was really, really nice to see all the fans."

The 33-year-old pop star is to perform Wednesday and Friday at Shanghai's Hongkou soccer stadium as part of Shanghai's international arts festival before continuing to a concert in the Philippines.

Carey's performances mark another milestone for China's development as a market for international pop culture, and for the country's recovery from this spring's SARS outbreak.

The outbreak forced the postponement of her concert and the cancellation of others, including performances by the Rolling Stones in Shanghai and Beijing.

Carey arrived almost an hour late for the news conference, wearing a strapless black dress with black stiletto heels and sparkling hoop earrings.

Asked whether the sudden arrival of cold, wet weather in Shanghai would affect her choice of stage gear, Carey said she didn't have that option.

The singer plans to make seven or eight wardrobe changes over the course of a 90-minute concert, ranging from funky street wear to vintage clothing and original designs.

Carey said, "If it's raining and cold, I'll still be wearing the same skimpy outfits as if it's warm."

(CRI.com November 12, 2003)