Shanghai Surprise...

[Associated Press Report]

Whitney Houston to perform in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, China - Singer and actress Whitney Houston will make her debut China concert appearance with a July 22 show in Shanghai.

"Whitney has said that China is her favorite country, so it will definitely be an emotional show," chief sponsors Shanghai Wenguang News and Media Group said in a news release.

Houston, 40, is widely known in Asia for her rendition of "I Will Always Love You," from the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard."

The Grammy Award winner entered a drug rehabilitation center in March but was given a lifetime achievement award at the Women's World Awards earlier this month in Germany.

Backed by China's highest family incomes, Shanghai has recently hosted shows by acts ranging from Mariah Carey to aging British hard rockers Deep Purple and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

American boy band Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears are also planning China shows.

NEWSFILE: 21 JUNE 2004