The 3rd China International Piano Competition, to fall on May 6, has attracted top candidates and jury committee from around the world, said an official with the Ministry of Culture (MOC) in Beijing Wednesday.  

Well known Chinese pianist Zhou Guangren, who is also chair of the jury committee, said that judges include another 10 world-class musicians, such as the chair or artistic director of the Chopin Piano Competition and Tchaikovsky Piano Competition.

A total of 47 candidates from 23 countries and regions, which were selected out of 102 competitors from 25 countries and regions, also showed a high level of talent. Among 19 Chinese competitors, as many as 10 have won prizes before in domestic and international competitions.

Zhang Yu, general manager of the chief sponsor China Performing Arts Agency, said the US$71,000 award in this competition is rarely seen among similar international competitions.

The competition has been held two times, in 1994 and 1999, and will be held every three years from now on.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2004)