国内英语新闻:Chinese leader watches DPRK-adapted opera of Chinese masterpiece

BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Li Changchun, a leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), watched Friday evening an opera of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) which was adapted from the Chinese classic A Dream of Red Mansions.

The DPRK Phibada Opera Troupe staged in Beijing the adaptation of the masterpiece by Cao Xueqin, a novelist in the 18th century. The opera is scheduled to premiere in Beijing from Thursday to Sunday before starting a tour in other cities of China.

Li, member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee, praised the brilliant performance of the DPRK artists, saying the opera show will contribute to friendship between the two countries.

Li Changchun (3rd R front), member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, watches an opera of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) which was adapted from the Chinese classic A Dream of Red Mansions in Beijing, May 7, 2010

Under the instruction of late DPRK leader Kim Il Sung, the DPRK artists adapted the Chinese story in the 1960s. DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il instructed that the opera be further improved and put on stage as a major event for the China-DPRK Friendship Year in 2009.

The DPRK opera's debut in China coincides with Kim Jong Il's unofficial visit to the China from May 3 to 7.