Music and travel have brought people together and strengthened connections across cultures and through friendship for more than five decades.

As the Year of the Horse approaches, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the China National Tourist Office in New York cohosted a special concert alongside a "Ni Hao! China" tourism promotion, bringing a vibrant Chinese New Year festive atmosphere to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

"Both Chinese and American people aspire for beauty. As an embodiment of beauty, art is a universal language that connects our hearts. The past year witnessed vibrant art exchanges between our two countries," Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said at a preconcert reception.

Xie described "people-to-people exchanges as a bridge" and encouraged people to advance friendship through art as a medium.

"When strings are struck and songs take flight, the beauty of art resonates between our two peoples. With its warm and resilient power, art channels cultural exchanges into a strong momentum for mutual understanding and trust," he added.

Xie said that in the past year, people-to-people exchanges have not only strengthened friendship, but also brought notable economic benefits. He pointed to the success of the Chinese film Ne Zha 2 and the American film Zootopia, which have each gained strong market response in the other country.

"We also need to use people-to-people exchanges as a mirror, and celebrate both our cultures through mutual learning," Xie said.

Outside the hall, audiences also viewed the photo exhibition "On the Road in China — China and the Philadelphia Orchestra", which showcases archival images from the orchestra's historic tours to China.

The orchestra was the first American ensemble to perform in China in 1973 and has returned many times, both as a full orchestra and through smaller ensemble exchanges.

Xie added that the Philadelphia Orchestra has made important contributions to promoting goodwill between China and the US, and has encouraged more people to visit China in the near future.

Open door

"China's door is always open to the world. We have been continuously making border entry easier and improving our services from customs clearance to payment, transportation and accommodation, so that foreign friends can travel in China hassle-free," he said. "We sincerely welcome more American friends to embark on a trip to our country whenever you like, and experience for yourselves a real, dynamic and panoramic China, which is both cool and welcoming."

Davyd Booth, a veteran violinist who has traveled to China around 15 times, was on the first and most recent trips and is now planning a trip in November.

Booth said that, as a musician who has traveled regularly to China, he feels "fortunate" to have witnessed the country's development and changes, observed the differences brought by China's modernization, and performed in many cities across the country.

Ma Yunfei, director of the China National Tourist Office, said the Philadelphia Orchestra has a long and special relationship with China. "Over the years, the orchestra has visited many different cities, worked closely with Chinese musicians …These exchanges have always been about more than music. They are about openness and learning from one another," Ma said.

Ryan Fleur, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, also recalled the orchestra's tours to China and the decades-long friendship between the orchestra and the country.

"More than five decades later, that historic moment continues to inspire a deep and enduring commitment to cultural exchange and artistic collaboration," Fleur said.

Fleur said he has personally traveled to China nearly 20 times. The orchestra has visited many cities across China and has also brought Chinese orchestras to the US. He added that the Spring Festival concert has been a tradition since 2019.

As part of the two-day celebration, the Central Conservatory of Music Chinese Orchestra will also present a special Chinese New Year concert at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater.

"I showed up in a little bit of red myself. It's always wonderful to see the hall decorated, and I feel like it adds to the festive kind of nature of the concert," 27-year-old audience member Eddie McKeown said.

Audience Carol Beringer told China Daily: "It's always wonderful to see a unique instrument."

Beringer said she wishes to travel to China soon. "I wish I had gone, and I will go."

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com