by Xinhua writer Shi Chun
NEW YORK, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- At the conclusion of a concert in New York, young singers from China and the United States were embracing, exchanging farewells and posing for photos.
For them, Thursday evening's concert at the Chinese Consulate General was not just a musical performance, but a reunion of friends brought together by years of cultural exchange.
Under the theme "Youth, Dialogue, Future," the event was attended by more than 100 performers from Young People's Chorus of New York City, Guangdong Experimental High School Choir and Lang Lang International Music Foundation.
The concert presented a series of renowned vocal and instrumental works from both countries, including the Circle of Life, Bridge Over Troubled Water and As Wished.
Young performers captivated the audience with their spirited singing and energetic dance moves, drawing rounds of applause and cheers.
For 17-year-old Sylvie, a member of the New York chorus, the evening's most meaningful moments came from reconnecting with friends she had made in China.
Sylvie began learning Chinese six years ago. In 2024, she traveled to Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai with her chorus, where she made Chinese friends.
"I'm so happy that we've met again. We've kept in touch on WeChat and talked in both Chinese and English," she told Xinhua.
Now Sylvie has added Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu to her wish list for the next trip. "I really like China and wanna go back soon. It's definitely a different experience," she said.
The reunion reflected a relationship that has grown for more than two decades between the two choirs. Their story began with an international choral competition in Japan and has since expanded through online collaborations, student exchanges and reciprocal visits.
In autumn 2024, Francisco J. Nunez, founder and artistic director of Young People's Chorus of New York City, led the U.S. choral ensemble to China at the invitation of Guangdong Experimental High School Choir. This year, he welcomed the Chinese singers to New York.
"This is like ping-pong," Nunez said with a smile. "It's not a tour. It's a relationship."
"Each time in these steps, our relationship has grown stronger, with more singing, more families and more friendship," he said.
Quan Hanyan, chairman and principal of Guangdong Experimental High School Group, said continued cultural exchanges offered young people in both countries valuable opportunities to foster mutual understanding and a deeper bond.
"In a world with so much noise, these young people have chosen to listen to each other. That is how a bridge is built across the Pacific," Nunez said.
Chinese Consul General in New York Chen Li praised the sister choirs' longstanding partnership as an example of friendship between Chinese and U.S. youth.
He encouraged young people from both countries to learn from one another and grow together, and use their youthful voices to write a new chapter in China-U.S. friendship.
As the Chinese singers prepared to head home, Nunez offered once again his best wishes.
"Tomorrow, you'll get on an airplane," he told them. "But it's not goodbye. It's until we sing again."■
