Seven performing arts professionals, including theater directors, art advisors, and art festival managers from six European countries—France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Norway and Iceland, are visiting China from Oct 12 to 21.

The visit aims to deepen the delegation's understanding of China's cultural and artistic resources, according to the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the organizer of the visit.

While in Beijing, the group attended a special exhibition on Monday, where they watched performances from the China National Opera House, the National Peking Opera Company, the China Coal Mine Art Troupe, the Central Conservatory of Music, the China Conservatory of Music, and the Northern Kunqu Opera Theater. They also held discussions with representatives from these performing arts organizations.

The visit will take the European delegation to Shanghai, Suzhou in Jiangsu province, and Jiaxing and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, where they will participate in the opening of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the Wuzhen Theater Festival, and engage in exchanges with local performing arts institutions.