Peoples Character and National Identity: The Role of the 1955 European Tour of the Chinese Classical Dance and Music Troupe in Promoting New Chinas Diplomacy

In 1955, the Chinese Classical Theatre Troupe toured Europe in two groups, attracting significant interest from local audiences and introducing the art of New Chinese opera to the European media. European newspapers and periodicals consistently reported on the performances of Chinese opera through news articles, special features, and drama reviews, thereby establishing an artistic image of China with distinctive characteristics and illustrating the methods and characteristics of shaping the image of New China. This study, utilizing collections from the troupes tour, oral histories, overseas digital newspapers, and archival sources, reconstructs the tour process and related media coverage. It not only provides a comprehensive evaluation of the achievements of the 1955 tour but also examines the construction of Chinese art abroad. Furthermore, it discusses the specific role of Chinese opera in Chinas international cultural exchange, offering insights for the contemporary global promotion of Chinese opera.