China has begun a series of performing arts galas to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

A concert with a theme of the founding of a new China was held in the National Center for the Performing Arts on Monday evening, which is the first of the series of shows.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) attended the concert by the Hebei Philharmonic.

The Ministry of Culture, together with the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, organized nationwide performing arts groups to prepare about 400 shows that are expected to be on stage till October.

The CPC central authorities once stationed in a Hebei village Xibaipo, preparing for entering key cities before the founding of the PRC on Oct. 1, 1949.

(Xinhua News Agency June 9, 2009)