Taiwan songstress Tsai Chin held one of hottest ever concerts in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Saturday. All the tickets were sold out a week ago.

The concert was in four parts with Tsai Chin choosing her old classics and nostalgic melodies who remains an enduring force on the music scene. Her earliest hits came in the late 70s, she scored unparalleled fame in the 80s and her voice dominated many of the Chinese radio airwaves throughout that decade and a good part of the 90s.

She said during the concert that all the songs she sang that night were related to her true life. Her humor and emotion brought laughter, tears and applause from audience. She also did "duet" with another famous diva Teresa Teng who died in 1995 by way of a big screen.

The Tsai Chin legend began with a singing competition during her first year in college. At that time singing Taiwan school ballads with a guitar was very popular. From that competition she found her favorite guitar and started her successful music career.

She reached a real high point in the 80s picking up numerous music awards from Taiwan and Hong Kong touring across Asia, Europe and the USA. Tsai has released 41 albums and is extremely popular throughout the Chinese speaking world.

One saying goes, "Wherever there are Chinese you'll find Tsai Chin!" 

(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui December 18, 2006)