Theater artists and associations from 22 countries and regions gathered in Guangzhou for the Asian Traditional Theater Forum, which coincides with World Theater Day.

High on the agenda were William Shakespeare and his Chinese counterpart, Tang Xianzu, in this 400th anniversary year of both of their deaths.

Attendees also exchanged views on the Kunqu and Cantonese opera forms. As part of the celebration, traditional and modern theater productions were presented, including Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" and the musical "A Peace Messenger".

The forum's mission is to protect and develop traditional Asian theater while promoting exchanges with the West.

World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute, or ITI.

It is celebrated annually on the 27th of March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community.

actors performing traditional opera on the stage