Invited by the government of Xicheng District, Kantorei Choir of Pozuelo  (44 members) led by the Vice Mayor Mr. Mariano Perez-Hickman, Pasadena Scottish Pipes & Drums Group (11 members) led by Chairman of China Subcommittee of Pasadena Sister Cities Committee Mr. Alan Lamson, Penrith City Band ( 12 members) led by the conductor Mr. Roderick Ellem and Jung-gu dance group (14 members) led by Director of Tourism Department Mr. Lee Yong-kuen, have arrived in succession from June 25th in Beijing to participate in exchanges on the topic "Good Luck BeijingoGreat Joy Xicheng" Olympics-Welcoming Performance from International Sister Cities of Xicheng District, which is sponsored by Xicheng Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and cosponsored by the Foreign Affairs Office of Xicheng District.

On the afternoon of June 29th, arts enthusiasts from the communities of 5 sister cities gave wonderful performances together at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities. Governor of Xicheng District Mr. Zhang Jiandong, Chairman of the People's Congress of Xicheng District Mr. Zhang Guoyu, Chairman of the CPPCC of Xicheng District Mr. Zhang Chunping, the Vice President of Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Ms. Zhang Saina and other leaders from Xicheng District watched the performances. More than 1100 audience from Xicheng District came to the performances, which reflect the unique cultures of sister cities. During Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival, all the audience cheered in English "Lucky Beijing" and "Happy Xicheng" at the same time to express warm welcome to Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and true love for our country.

Mr. Zhang Shijun, Chairman of Xicheng Federation of Literary and Art Circles, gave a speech on behalf of the host at the party after the performances. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the sister cities for their profound friendship and their supporting Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He also hoped that the foreign friends could share the good luck of Beijing and the great joy of Xicheng with us. It is the first time that friends from five sister cities performed together in Xicheng. Cultural exchanges serve as a bridge for deepening mutual understanding and friendship. With Xicheng developing rapidly in economy and society, our cultural exchanges with sister cities will become more colorful in the future. 

On the evening of June 27, the government of Xicheng District held a welcoming banquet after all the 81 foreign guests from sister cities had arrived in Beijing. Mr. Zhang Jiandong, Mr. Zhang Guoyu, Mr. Zhang Chunping and some other leaders from Xicheng District attended this banquet, and met with heads of troupes from sister cities. Mr. Bai Yunsheng, the exective vice governor, on the behalf of the government delivered the opening speech and expressed sincere thanks to the sister cities' governments and troupes. At the banquet, heads of each troupe extended best wishes for the success of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the prosperity of Xicheng District.

All the foreign troupes had cultural exchanges with community troupes of our disttrict. Long Silk Dance Troupe from Desheng Sub-district danced with the foreign performers at Mu Tian Yu on the Great Wall. Herdsman Choir from the community school of Jin Rongjie Sub-district sang together with the choir from Pozuelo, and the exchange activity ended with the famous song Auld Lang Syne. The friends of Pozuelo warmly invited the Herdsman Choir to perform in Pozuelo next year.

The foreign troupes were also invited to perform at Shishahai International Cultural Festival of Xicheng District, and retured home one afer another from the end of June.