The 5th China Shanghai International Arts Festival took place from in Shanghai from 18th October to 18 November 2003. 166 performances of 71 different events (19 congratulatory ones included) from 26 countries and regions were presented at the festival. The total attendance at festival events was over nearly 450,000. 　　

The great improvements had been made in the quality and quantity of performances. The dance drama, Farewell, My Concubine opened the challenging dance selections, which also included River Dance touted as Irish and world dancing gem as well as Tango Musical, Tanguera, Argentina. The music program featured world-renowned orchestras, for example, NDR Symphony Orchestra Hamburg steered by the maestro, Christoph Eschenbach, Orchestra Philharmonique du Luxemburg, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dutch Royal Philips Symphonic Band. In celebrating the centennial of famous Chinese writer Ba Jin's birthday, the newly adapted Drama Family was presented by Huju Opera, Yueju Opera and Chuanju Opera versions. 　　

At the Shanghai International Performing Arts Affair 2003, 112 Cooperation contracts were signed. 　　

The festival offered special price tickets for local residents for the first time, providing them a precious chance to engage in the festival activities and appreciate the classics of the world arts. The 5th China Shanghai International Arts Festival held 15 exhibitions and expositions, surpassing the previous festivals whatever in the numbers and scale of such exhibitions. 　　

In addition, a conference on the Asian-Pacific arts festival alliance as well as the Second China Shanghai International Piano Competition, Shanghai International Magic Festival& Competition 2003 and the Sixth Shanghai Asia Music Festival 2003 were held during the arts festival.

(Source: www.artsbird.com)