The Philadelphia Orchestra Concert in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of US-China diplomatic relations was held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on May 18th. President Li Xiaolin, US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad，Vice President Zhu Jing of the NCPA, Vice President Xie Yuan and other guests from China and abroad attended the the concert.
In her remarks, President Li welcomed the Philadelphia Orchestra to visit China on the 40th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. She said that music was a universal language which can serve as a strong bond for people from different nations and of various backgrounds. It helps people gain better mutual understanding and treat each other as equals making the world a better place to live.
Ambassador Branstad said that free and open cultural exchanges are one of the most important elements in the US-China relations. It must be supported and protected. He also expressed his gratitude to the Chinese public who extended warm welcome to the Orchestra.
Conducted by Yannick, the Philadelphia Orchestra together with Chinese soprano Lei Jia presented the “Dunhuang Frescoes-Deer of Nine Colors” composed by Tan Dun, played “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” by Rachmaninoff with the young Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen, and ended the concert with “Symphony No.9” by Schubert. The excellent performance by the artists won warm and lasting applause from the audience. 
In 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first US art troupe to visit China after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. That visit was regarded as an “ice-breaking trip” for cultural exchanges between China and the United States. This year marks the Orchestra’s 12th trip to China. After finishing the week-long event in Beijing, the Orchestra will visit and give performances in Tianjin, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai.

Photographed by Ding Li