PARIS OF THE EAST

Shanghai’s artists are vying to recapture the city’s pre-Communist reputation as a thriving international art center – the “Paris of the East,” as it was internationally known before the Cultural Revolution. One problem: government authorities would rather showcase high-budget imports like the recent 3000-cast member “Aida” rather than allow exhibits of the controversial art of China’s politically conscious youth. – The Age (Melbourne) (AFP) 11/13/00