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Acting Consul General Liu Jun Attended 2nd "Cultural China - Friendship Lasts Forever" Concert
2018-09-16 01:05

On September 16th, 2018, Acting Consul General Liu Jun attended the second "Cultural China-Friendship Lasts Forever" concert jointly organized by the Overseas Chinese Association of Greater Chicago, Confucius Institute at Valparaiso University, Asian Cultural Center and the Oriental Art Troupe. Deputy Consul General Yu Peng, President Zheng Zheng of the Overseas Chinese Association, President Mark A. Heckler of Valparaiso University, Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah, Special Representative Thomas Choi of the Governor of Illinois, and others attended the opening ceremony of the concert.

In his speech, Acting Consul General Liu Jun, on behalf of the Consulate General, expressed his warm congratulations on the concert. He said that today's strong performance lineup is comprised of over 1,000 musicians, including highly reputable Chinese singers and performers, overseas Chinese arts groups from Chicago and various Midwestern states, as well as American singers and instrumentalists. In just a short moment, Chinese and American artists will perform side by side in shared artistry, once again contributing to the manifold cultural exchanges between China and the Midwest.

Acting Consul General Liu Jun continued that China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Sound relations between China and the United States are not only beneficial to both countries and their peoples, but also beneficial to the world. Our two countries shoulder the major responsibility of maintaining world peace. As President Xi Jinping said, “We have a thousand reasons to make China-US relationship a success, yet not one single reason to break it.” We will soon usher in the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States. These 40 years have proven that win-win cooperation is the only right choice. The theme of today's concert, "Friendship Lasts Forever", corresponds well to the reality of current China-US relations.

President Zheng Zheng thanked the Chinese arts groups from the Greater Chicago area and the Midwest for their active participation in the performance. She hopes this concert serves as a witness to friendly China-US relations. President Heckler commented that everyone gathered together to express through song and dance the fine melodies of China-US relations. Mr. Choi said the concert was one of many great events celebrating the state’s 200th year anniversary.

The concert was held at the famous Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park, where Chinese and American artists performed together. Internationally acclaimed male tenor Dai Yuqiang, famous singer Cheng Lin, sweet-voiced American soprano Juliet Petrus, national level erhu performer Zhao Huan, and Chinese artists from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performed one after the other. More than 1,000 performing artists from 30 arts groups coming from six Midwestern states performed dance, chorus, symphony and many other wonderful programs. More than 5,000 spectators enjoyed this feast of Chinese and American culture and art. Applause rumbled incessantly, and lively interaction occurred on and off the stage throughout the performance.

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