Chinese state councilor attends ballet Matsuyama

State Councilor Liu Yandong attended Ballet "Bai Mao Nu," or the "White-haired Girl," performed by Matsuyama Ballet Troupe, and met with representatives from the renowned Japan ballet company on Friday. Liu welcomed Matsuyama Ballet's visit to China and commended its efforts toward building Sino-Japanese friendship and promoting the two countries' cultural exchanges over the past half century. Tetsutaro Shimizu and Yoko Morishita from Matsuyama Ballet said they hoped to make continuous efforts to promote Japan and China's friendly relations. Established in 1948, the Matsuyama Ballet Troupe visited China as the first envoy of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association in 1958. "White-haired Girl" originated in China and was adapted by Matsuyama Ballet. It debuted in Japan in 1955.