The Chinese Embassy in Australia and Telstra jointly held the Press Conference in Sydney on 21 July 2005, promoting Australia-tour by the Chinese Art Ensemble of People with Disability. 

 

    More than 60 people attended the occasion, among them, including China's Ambassador to Australia Mme Fu Ying, Chinese Consul-General in Sydney Mr. Qui Shao Fang, Executive of Marketing Department (Ethnic Groups and People with Disability) Ms. Anne Stout as well as representatives from a wide range of Australian media, agencies for People with Disability, event sponsors and performance hosting agency.

 

    After a short-film introducing the Chinese Art Ensemble of People with Disability, Ambassador Fu briefed the guests on topics including the overview of the Art Ensemble, the encouraging experience of the main cast, the present development in China in relation to services for people with disability as well as the highlights of the Australia-tour by this special Art Ensemble.  Mme Fu hoped that the Ensemble would not only bring brilliant art performance to the Australian audience but also take the opportunity to associate itself with the Australian people with disability as well as service agencies in this field through some joint activities in an effort to enhance mutual understanding and exchange.  Mme Fu also answered the questions raised by the media regarding the Australia-tour of the troupe.

 

    Ms. Anne Stout later addressed the guests on the achievements in relation to Telstra's development in telecommunication products and services targeted at ethnic groups (including Chinese) and people with disability.  She stressed that Telstra took pride in sponsoring the visits to Australia by high-level Art Ensembles such as Chinese Art Ensemble of People with Disability and Telstra was pleased to once again contributing to the cultural exchange between Australia and China.

 

    From 22 September to 10 October, the Chinese Art Ensemble will be performing in six cities, namely Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.  The Australia-tour was generously sponsored by Testra, the largest Telecommunication Company and the third largest company in Australia, which was also the sponsor for the Concerts by the China's National Symphony Orchestra in Australia in 2002. ,