国内英语新闻：Artistic performance commemorates late Chinese leader Liu Shaoqi

BEIJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- An artistic performance was staged in Beijing on Monday night to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of late Chinese leader Liu Shaoqi.

    Li Changchun and Vice President Xi Jinping, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, watched the performance together with more than 2,000 people of various walks of life in the National Center for the Performing Arts.

    The performance was composed of five parts to show Liu's dedication and contribution to the cause of the Party and the people in different revolution and construction periods.

    Liu was born on Nov. 24, 1898, in Ningxiang County of Hunan Province, central China. He was one of the earliest members of the CPC, joining the Party in 1921, shortly after its founding. In the following years, he served at many important positions in the Party.

    Liu was elected vice chairman of the central people's government in September 1949, just before the founding of New China. Later he was elected chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. In April 1959, he was elected chairman of the People's Republic of China.

    Severely persecuted during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1977), Liu died of illness in Kaifeng of Henan Province on Nov. 12, 1969.

An artistic performance was staged in Beijing on Monday night to mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of late Chinese leader Liu Shaoqi.The performance was composed of five parts to show Liu's dedication and contribution to the cause of the Party and the people in different revolution and construction periods.