The President of the China Performing Arts Agency said Monday that China should integrate traditional art forms so as to attract more foreign audiences and promote its abundant cultural resources.

Zhang Yu introduced to a press conference in Beijing a theatrical martial arts spectacular, "Shaolin Warriors", which toured north America last year.

He attributed its success of attracting 80,000 viewers in the United States and Canada to "a successful integration of martial arts, Zen Buddhism, traditional costumes and enchanting music."

The former official with the Ministry of Culture admitted that China is rich in art resources but not prosperous in the art industry.

He said, "The Chinese art should not only perform for Chinatown but for the whole world."

"If we stick to the traditional forms of performing arts, we'll never satisfy the world audiences with different cultural backgrounds," he explained. "We need to create a brand new image for the world to see by combining all the good elements of the Chinese arts."

Zhang said that Peking Opera may stand out as the breakthrough for the Chinese arts in overseas markets. With its deep cultural connotations and resourceful performance forms, more cultural elements can be added and make the opera fully present the best of the Chinese arts.

Founded in 1957, his agency has become the bridge for thousands of Chinese artists and troupes to engage in cultural exchanges with over 140 countries.

(Xinhua 05/14/2001)