朝鮮牡丹峯樂團啓程來華表演

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent his all-female pop propaganda band to China in an apparent effort to boost relations with his traditional ally.

朝鮮領導人金正恩派出他的女子流行樂團到中國演出，有明顯意圖欲修復與傳統盟友中國的關係。

The Moranbong Band, which was reputedly handpicked by Mr Kim, is to give "friendship performances" along with the State Merited Chorus - an army orchestra - the official news agency KCNA reports. Clad in military-style uniforms, the musicians were seen off at Pyongyang station by senior party officials and the Chinese ambassador, underlining the importance of the group's first tour abroad.

牡丹峯樂團，被稱是應朝鮮最高領導人金正恩指示成立的樂團，將與“功勳國家合唱團”一起進行“友好演出”，據朝鮮中央新聞社報道。樂團成員們身着軍裝制服，從平壤站出發，黨內高層官員和中國駐朝鮮大使等爲訪問團送別，強調了該樂團第一次出國演出的重要性。

It's seen as the latest sign that the two countries' longstanding alliance is on the mend again, after being strained by North Korea's third nuclear test in 2013. The band will appear at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing from 12 to 14 December, according to China's Xinhua agency.

自2013年朝鮮進行第三次覈實驗後，中朝兩國關係一直緊張，這次公演被視爲兩國的長期聯盟關係正在修補的最新跡象。據新華社報道，朝鮮樂團將會於12月12日-14日在北京國家大劇院進行公演。

Last in the international news in September, when rumours of their disappearance and possible fall from grace turned out to be greatly exaggerated, Moranbong were formed at Kim Jong-un's order in 2012 out of an ensemble favoured by his deceased father, Kim Jong-il.

此前已備受金正恩已故的父親金正日的喜愛，2012年在金正恩的指示下成立了牡丹峯樂團。在九月的國際新聞上，牡丹峯樂團從熒屏上消失和可能失寵的傳聞被嚴重誇大。

They are known - at least by the authoritarian state's staid standards - for their energetic, almost Western-style performances. Songs include typical North Korea propaganda items such as We Think of the Marshall (Mr Kim) Day and Night and My Country is the Best!, but also more surprising Western-inspired numbers, including the Theme from Rocky.

他們是非常受追捧的--至少以專制國家古板的標準衡量—她們的朝氣蓬勃，和幾乎西方式的舞臺風格。表演歌曲包括典型的朝鮮歌曲《金正日將軍之歌》《祖國讚歌》，還有更讓人驚訝的西方歌曲如the Theme from Rocky等。