Far as the distance between China and Chile, art turned out to be the perfect way of uniting the two nations on two ends of the planet.

Chile's coastal city of Valparaiso was thrilled by an artistic soire on Sunday night, brought to it by a group of Chinese artists on a tour which will also lead them to Talca, a city severely affected by the February major earthquake and the tsunamis.

Starting with an ode to the motherland, the Chinese artists performed Tibetan dances and Uyghur love songs. Their expression was vigorous and their passion ardent: The gala was all about the splendor and richness of Chinese folklore.

A week of Chinese art, dubbed "Week of Art: China Today," opened on Thursday with a modern art exhibition, and followed by academic conference and three performances of folkloric art, causing a sensation among the Chilean people.

In an interview with Xinhua, Lv Fan, Chinese Ambassador to Chile stressed that the artistic events came timingly as this year is the 40 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Chile and also the bicentenary of the beginning of the South American country's fight for independence.

"The presentation brought a sense of joy to the duo-festivity and demonstrates the friendship between the two peoples of China and Chile," he said, noting that the Chinese artist's scheduled visit to the quake-affected region is an evidence that the Chinese people are deeply concerned about the victims of the natural disaster which took place on February 27, leaving more than 500 deaths, thousands of missing and significant economic losses.

Feng Shuangbai, director of the Group of China Folkloric Ballet, said he hoped the show will represent a humorous, entertaining side of Chinese folklore, and promote the understanding of the two peoples.

On Saturday night, the opening show turned out to be a hit, and on Monday, the group arrived at the tourist city of Valparaiso, and the Chinese ethnic art again enchanted the local audience. In a couple of days, the artists will visit the tsunami-devastated Talca, in the south of Chile, where they hope their performance will cheer the quake victims' spirit.

Liu Qianwei, 19, student of the Dance Academy of Beijing who stars in an Uyghur dance, told Xinhua that all the artists have tried their best to overcome the jet lag, the weather change and other negative factors to make the tournament a success.

"I am very excited... I think it is a good thing for the local people. They deserve to have entertainment and we will give it to them," said the girl when asked how she feels about going to the victimized city of Talca.

The President of Senate of Chile, Jorge Pizarro, told Xinhua that it is important for Chile and Latin America to have this kind of cultural exchange, which helps to have a better understanding of China, it traditions and folklore.

"It was a performance that can not be missed," said Loreto, a Chilean journalist who acclaimed to be enchanted by both the vigor and placidity of the numbers.

(Xinhua June 22, 2010)