PYONGYANG, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese art groups and artists won seven gold and three silver prizes at the 26th "April Spring Friendship Art Festival" which closed in Pyongyang on Saturday.

    Chen Xieyang, conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Cai Yong, an artist from the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, and Dong Hongli, from the Beijing Opera Troupe of Jilin Province, bagged individual gold prizes. The three art groups collectively also won gold prizes.

    The festival, which was held from April 10-18, attracted artists from more than 20 countries.

    It was the first time the Beijing Opera Troupe had taken part in the decades-long history of the festival.

    Kang Nung Su, Minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, said in his closing address that the festival offered artists from different countries a good opportunity for deepening friendly relations, exchanging achievements and experiences they gained in developing their own national art, and closely cooperating with each other in the fields of music, dance and acrobatics.

    Yang Hyong Sop, Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, and Ro Tu Chol, Vice Premier of the Cabinet also attended the closing ceremony.