Xiqu (Chinese opera) is a form of performing arts which integrates singing, acting, speech, martial arts, gongs and drums, strings, costume and body movement. Xiqu performers make use of symbolic gestures and facial expression to portray the characters and communicate with the audience.
According to statistics in 1950s, there were originally 360 forms of Xiqu in China. Today, more than 200 genres are still performed on stage. The best known genres including Kunqu, Cantonese opera and Beijing opera, were inscribed on to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2001, 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Cantonese opera is the first world intangible cultural heritage in Hong Kong. In recent years, the number of Cantonese opera performances and operatic song concerts has increased to over one thousand per year, with attendance figures for Chinese opera performances ranking highest among the four major types of performing arts (theatre, music, dance and Xiqu).
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