Overseas artists still welcome

China will continue inviting international artists to perform in the country, especially during the Beijing Olympic Games, but they have to follow the laws and regulations of the land, Vice-Minister of Culture Zhou Heping said at a press conference yesterday.

"Many Chinese troupes go to perform abroad and always obey the local laws and regulations. The same should apply to all performers in China," he said. "Most overseas troupes and artists respect Chinese laws and regulations. But there have been some others who have not done so."

One of them is Icelandic singer Bjork, who shouted "Tibet, Tibet" and sang a song during her Shanghai concert to lend the issue a different color.