Artists from China's national opera house will perform the famed opera Turandot composed by late Italian musician Giacomo Puccini later this week, president of China's Central Opera House Liu Xijin said in Cairo on Wednesday.

At a press conference held Wednesday evening at Cairo Opera House, Liu said it's the first time for China's Central Opera House to perform Turandot in Egypt with a delegation of some 190 cast and crew.

Liu voiced his hope that the two opera houses can further enhance cooperation in the field of opera.

Wang Kejian, minister counsellor of Chinese embassy in Egypt, said the visit of China's Central Opera House to Egypt is one of the major events of cultural exchange between the two countries, noting the Chinese-Egyptian friendship relations witnessed great progress in recent years.

At the press conference, president of Cairo Opera House Abdel Monam Kamal voiced his welcome to the visit of the Chinese opera house and the upcoming performance.

The Chinese version of opera Turandot, a classic story of love, will be staged in Cairo Opera House as of Oct. 26 for four consecutive days.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2008)