For years, veteran conductor Li Xincao, president of the China Conservatory of Music, has led Chinese orchestras beyond the country's borders, using melodies to tell the story of his homeland.
On March 11, Li, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, spoke to the press, emphasizing that music is a universal language that requires no translation.
"It speaks directly to the heart," he said.
In 2025, during Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, after it was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024, Li led the China Conservatory of Music Traditional Orchestra, along with students and faculty, to take Chinese music on tour across six cities in four European countries, including Germany, Belgium and Hungary.
The response was overwhelming. "Every performance sold out, and at each concert, audiences rose to their feet, applauding for minutes on end," he recalled, adding that encore after encore, the applause went on for more than ten minutes — a testament to the power of music to move people across cultures.
One moment, however, stood out above the rest for him. After a performance in Vienna, Austria, an elderly local music enthusiast rushed backstage. Grasping Li's hands tightly, he exclaimed with emotion, "From those notes, I can hear your long and profound history."
"In that instant, I realized something fundamental — music is not merely an art form; it is a bridge of human emotion and cultural exchange," Li said. "This bridge transcends systems, languages, and backgrounds, forging the purest bonds between people."
Chinese music carries far more than harmonious melodies, he noted. It embodies the spiritual essence and cultural temperament accumulated over thousands of years of civilization.
"My generation has witnessed Chinese music flourish at an unprecedented pace, making China one of the fastest-growing music markets in the world," he said. "Today, digital platforms are reshaping the way music is shared. Traditional music intertwines with contemporary techniques, constantly evolving. Increasingly, works are rooted deeply in China's musical heritage while resonating with global audiences."
Li believes that in the near future, more outstanding pieces expressing Chinese wisdom and spirit will travel across the world.
"Through sincerity and artistry, let the world hear, understand, and connect with an open and confident China—one note at a time," he said.
