Today, the Beijing Forum for Performing Arts 2019 opens in the grand and beautiful NCPA. On behalf of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, I would like to give my congratulations on the opening of the forum and my welcome and greeting to all the guests attending this event. Beijing, the capital of China, is a great city. With a history of 3,000 years, it has so far served for 800 years as the country's capital. It is China’s centre of politics, culture, international exchanges and technological and innovation. NCPA not only carries the cultural profoundness and distinction of the city; it has also become an important vehicle for the city as the country's cultural centre and international exchange centre.