Concert Celebrates Start of China-france Year
Chinese and French musicians brought down the house on January 31 at the Royal Opera of Versailles inside the Palace of Versailles at the opening concert of the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. The repertoire performed during the concert to an audience of around 500 by the China National Traditional Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera of Versailles included selections of Chinese and French classical music.
The mostly French audience was fascinated by the performers of traditional Chinese instruments which included Zhao Cong, a top pipa player in China, and Tang Feng, a noted erhu maestro. The erhu maestro and flute player Khrystyna Sarksyan, who stood next to him, complemented each other with the Chinese and Western music instruments.
Video speeches by President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France were broadcast on stage before the show.
In his speech, Xi pointed out that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France 60 years ago was a major event in the history of international relations. With extraordinary wisdom and courage, Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle opened the door for exchanges and cooperation between China and the West, bringing hope to the world amid the Cold War.
Over the past 60 years, China-France relations have always been at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, benefiting the two peoples and contributing to world peace, stability, and development, Xi said.
He indicated the two sides can take the China-france Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges and promote closer people-to-people bonds.
In his video message, Macron said that 60 years ago, General de Gaulle went beyond the logic of camp confrontation and made the historic decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
He said the year 2024 is the China-france Year of Culture and Tourism, and the two sides will hold a variety of activities. The two sides should take this opportunity to enhance exchanges between the two peoples, especially young people, and lay a more solid foundation for the future of France-china relations.