A scene from Farewell My Concubine. [Photo/chinaqw.com]

The China National Peking Opera Company was given a civic reception in Liverpool Wednesday to mark the company's first ever tour to a provincial British city.

It marks the company's first visit to Britain for 10 years, with performances in Liverpool of two of its masterpieces, Warrior Women of Yang, and the full-length European premiere of Farewell My Concubine.

After the performances later this week the company will continue their British tour to London.

Liverpool Lord Mayor Tony Conception hosted a civic reception for the opera company at the city's 18th century town hall.

During the reception two leading members of the company, Zhu Hong and Liu Kui-kui, in full costumes, performed a taster of what the Liverpool audiences will enjoy on Friday and Saturday.

Li Sheng-su, Head of the Number 1 Troupe of the China National Peking Company said in a speech how the visit to Liverpool came just weeks after President Xi Jinping paid his successful state visit to Britain.

"This year is UK-China Year and the President's state visit opened a new pattern in the China-UK partnership, she told guests at the reception, stressing the importance of culture and creativeness in both countries.