On the evening of January 10, 2025, the Philadelphia Orchestra Lunar New Year Concert and "Hello! China" Tourism Promotion Event, jointly hosted by the China National Tourist Office in New York and the Philadelphia Orchestra, and organized by the U.S.-China Business and Tourism Association, concluded successfully. Nearly 200 guests from various sectors in the Eastern United States attended the promotion event, while 2,500 people watched the Lunar New Year Concert performance.
In his speech, Chen Li, Consul General of China in New York, noted that this marks the fifth consecutive year the Philadelphia Orchestra has held a Lunar New Year Concert, serving as a bridge of friendship between China and the United States through music. Spring Festival is China's most important traditional holiday, sustaining emotional bonds among individuals, families, and the nation, while embodying Chinese cultural values of peace, harmony, and unity. Last month, the "Spring Festival" was officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the coming weeks, Chinese artists, intangible cultural heritage masters, and cultural groups will continue to collaborate with prominent partners in the Eastern U.S. to present over 20 unique Spring Festival cultural experiences, sharing traditional Chinese culture and celebrating the New Year with local communities.
Consul General Chen Li emphasized that the stable development of China-U.S. relations concerns the well-being of both peoples and the future of humanity. China's policy toward the U.S. remains consistent and continuous, as China believes that each country's success presents opportunities for the other. China is ready to partner with the U.S. as friends, jointly exploring the right path for coexistence between two major powers on this planet, benefiting both nations and the world.
Ma Yunfei, Director of the China National Tourist Office in New York, stated that China is committed to developing cultural tourism as a pillar industry. Recent favorable measures, including visa policies, payment facilitation, and accommodation improvements—such as the 240-hour visa-free transit policy covering 60 international ports in China—have created more opportunities for deepening China-U.S. cultural and tourism cooperation. Visitors from all sectors in the U.S. are welcome to experience China's profound historical heritage and vibrant modernity.
Matías Tarnopolsky, Acting President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, expressed the orchestra's dedication to strengthening U.S.-China cultural exchanges. Tonight's concert marks another milestone in the orchestra's collaboration with Chinese artists.
Attendees highlighted that music possesses a powerful, timeless force to connect people, fostering mutual understanding and friendship. They looked forward to more U.S.-China cultural and tourism exchanges. Guests also congratulated the U.S.-China Business and Tourism Association on the successful event.
The concert was a full house. Performances included Chinese pipa virtuoso Zhang Hongyan's collaboration with the orchestra on The Heroic Little Sisters on the Prairie, and the Moonlit River in Spring—a new composition by American composer Mason Bates, performed by singers from the ISING International Art Festival. Alongside classics like Spring Voices Waltz, these works showcased the beauty of harmonious coexistence between Eastern and Western musical artistry, deeply moving the audience with their sincere emotions and profound artistic expressions.
(Article reposted from the official WeChat account of the Consulate General of China in New York)
(Some photos courtesy of China News Service)
