On April 24th, Iron Maiden played in China for the first time ever! They performed at LeSports Center in Beijing. A video of the group's plane, Ed Force One, landing in China, as well as the band members taking in the tourist sites can be seen below. 

According to the Polish Iron Maiden fan club Sanktuarium, Maiden did not alter The Book Of Souls setlist for the Beijing show, although several minor changes in the performance were made - presumably at the reqest of China's Ministry of Culture, which had to approve all of the band's lyrics prior to Maiden's Chinese dates being confirmed. The changes included:

•  No pyrotechnics used during the show.
• During the performance of "The Trooper", singer Bruce Dickinson did not wave a Union Jack flag, but, as can be seen in the video below, he still sported the red coat uniform worn by troops during the battle which inspired the song and waved an "invisible" flag while singing the track. In addition, the Union Jack flag was still prominently displayed on the backdrop during Maiden's performance of the song.
• Bruce changed the lyrics to the chorus of the song "Powerslave" from "Tell me why I had to be a Powerslave" to "Tell me why I had to be a Wicker Man."
• Iron Maiden was not allowed to throw anything (wristbands, drum heads, etc.) into the crowd during the concert.
• Bruce didn't swear and had to be careful not to use the "F" word.

Iron Maiden's setlist for the Beijing concert:

"If Eternity Should Fall"
"Speed Of Light"
"Children Of The Damned"
"Tears Of A Clown"
"The Red And The Black"
"The Trooper"
"Powerslave"
"Death Of Glory"
"The Book Of Souls"
"Hallowed Be Thy Name"
"Fear Of The Dark"
"Iron Maiden"
"The Number Of The Beast"
"Blood Brothers"
"Wasted Years"

Maiden has one more show in China - in Shanghai on April 26th at Mercedes Benz Arena. After that, they will head to New Zealand and Australia, followed by South Africa and Germany. To view their complete tour itinerary, click here.