A one-hour musical that documents the life of the Chinese, their contributions to Malaysia will be the highlight of the 50th Independent Anniversary Culturaland Arts Performance in Malaysia on October 28, local media reported on Tuesday.

The musical that took a year to prepare would be in five parts and involve 500 actors, said production director Ho Lin Huay.

"It will start with the emergence of the dragon as the Chinese are said to be the descendants of the dragon, and then show how their ancestors migrated from China and decided to settle down in Malaysia," The Star quoted Ho as saying.

The musical stage would also show how the Chinese and Malays stay united and work together for the betterment of Malaysia, she said.

"Photographs that captured historic moments, especially in 1957,when we achieved independence will be projected on a big screen onstage," she said.

The musical is about how the Chinese community love the country as much as the other communities, Ho said.

The event is organized by the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and several Chinese organizations to mark Malaysia's 50th anniversary of Independence.

The first rehearsal was held at the Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday witnessed by the event's producer Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun and deputy Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Wong Kam Hoong.

Some 300 people were treated to a mini preview of the show at 1-Utama shopping mall, Kuala Lumpur on Monday. A Chinese orchestra also played favorite Chinese songs while tenor Lim Cheng Hock performed several numbers.

There was also a demonstration on how to prepare Chinese herbal tea eggs.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2007)