A Beijing Opera troupe from Jilin Province performed in Pyongyang Thursday during the "April Spring Friendship Art Festival". It was for the first time that the opera had performed in the decades-long history of the art festival.

"The performers have given a very good performance and showed high skills and artistry," said Han Chol, vice minister of cultural of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The performance of the Beijing Opera made the art festival more colorful and enjoyable, he said.

The art festival, running from April 10-18, has brought artists from more than 20 countries to perform in Pyongyang.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2009)