"Pipa Fairy Maiden" Zhang Hongyan

WHEN Zhang Hongyan plays the completely traditional Chinese musical instrument, the pipa, she is called a "pipa fairy maiden" by her audiences, "the pipa queen with outstanding talent and appearance" by the Hong Kong press and "a national flower of the Women Philharmonic Orchestra" in Singapore. Having completed her master's degree program at the folk music department of the Central Conservatory of Music. Zhang is continuing there as a teacher. On the unforgettable night of June 9, 1992, Zhang Hongyan presented her first solo concerto concert at the Beijing Concert Hall, in cooperation with the celebrated Central Philharmonic Orchestra based in Beijing and its famous conductor Hu Yongyan. This concert made her the first folk musical instrument player to present a special concerto concert in cooperation with a Western style orchestra. It is the result of many years of effort. Zhang was born in Shengxian County, Zhejiang Province, famous as the home of Yue Opera. Her father is a musician with a Yue Opera     

Appreciating Children

ANOTHER Spring Festival was drawing near. From her college in Dalian, sophomore Zhou Tingting returned home to Nanjing—to the family that had given her life and affection, and perhaps most importantly, appreciation. Family indeed has special meaning for Zhou Tingting. She is a deaf girl who entered college at age of 16, but it     

Zhou Naxin After Thirteen Years

IN the December, 1983, edition of Women of China, I interviewed Zhou Naxin who was then the head of Beijing No.2 Lawyers' Office. Thirteen years later, as our magazine celebrates its 40th anniversary, I interviewed her again. Now she is regarded as an outstanding lawyer, and enjoys fame abroad, especially in America. Zhou is 61. She is as optimistic, warm and easy-going as before. Her face is glowing. It seems that the years have not left their mark on her. I feel as if we had parted only yesterday. The only difference is that she has more wisdom, farsightedness and capability. She calmly and slowly told me what she has experienced over the past 13 years.     

Following Zhang Wenjin to the United States

In 1937,Zhang Ying studied at the Lu Xun Art Institute in Yan'an.After graduation she began working in the art world under Zhou Enlai's direction.In 1983, she followed her husband Zhang Wenjin to the United States as wife of the ambassador.During her two-year stay in the U.S., she came into close contact with many American women while working to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries.After her retirement in 1991,she sponsored the production of a 10-episode documentary TV program,"Zhou Enlai and the Arts."She also wrote a book about her experience in the United States,Called,Following Zhang Wenjin to the United States—Notes of an Ambassador's Wife.The following are extracts from the book.     

学京剧■■■■(英文)

To the south of the city lies Beijing Opera school, which has a history of nearly half a century. Dozens of children are in the Peking Opera department. The youngest is eight years old and the eldest 15. These children come from different parts of the country. Most of them have been interested in Peking Opera since they were small. Some children's parents have     

The Changxin Palace Lantern

The Changxin Palace Lantern wasexcavated from the tomb of Dou Wan,wife of the Zhongshanjing Prince LiuSheng, in Mancheng, Hebei Province in1968. It is 48 cm high and gilded all over.The support of the lantern is in the shapeof a pretty maid of honor in a kneelingposition. The maid's dress specifically reflectsthe women's dressing during the HanDynasty. Under the conceal of her sedateappearance is a trace of sadness. Holdingthe lantern with her left hand, her right     

Mayor Keeps People's Interest at Heart

"THE power in our hands is given to us by the people, so we should only serve them with it," says Yang Huifang. She has been in the post of vice mayor of Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, for seven years. With the idea of serving the people at the heart of her ambitions, Yang Huifang has won respect and support from the 530,000 people living in Yuncheng. Open-minded and forward-thinking, Yang is bold and resolute in her work. During her long tenure in town administration she accunmlated rich experience in planning, culture,     

Modern Dancer Goes Against Tradition

WANG Mei is the youngest associate professor in modern dance at the Beijing College of Dance. Her art is the most important part of her life. When inspiration comes, she can't help but move her hands and feet to the choreography going on in her head. And when people watch Wang perform, contradictory feelings of light-heartedness and melancholy simultaneously are felt. This charming dancer has a unique understanding about     

Longing for the Green(woodblock)

Jiang Bibo loves to employ the image of rocks in her woodblocks. Her figurines often bear veins of the rocks, featuring an interweaving of strength and softness, a mixture of a humanized nature and naturized humans. In her woodblock Longing for the Green the artist expresses her call for an unpolluted nature. The Goddess of Nature looks sad because nothing is left of her green gown but a small bunch of grass in her hand.