On the evening of the ninth day of the lunar new year, the “Nihao! China” — Echoes of Ancient Tang Poems Concert concluded to great acclaim at Kings Place, London.

Organised by the China Cultural Reflection Association with Bank of China as the strategic partner, the concert is a key component of the 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” Concert and “Nihao! China” tourism promotion series. The “Happy Chinese New Year” initiative, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, has been held consecutively for 26 years since 2001.

The performance was a magnificent showcase where Chinese and foreign artists used music as a medium to recreate the artistic allure of the pinnacle of Chinese literature on the banks of the River Thames, adding a vibrant Oriental hue to the London early spring. The event was attended by nearly 400 guests, including H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang and his wife; David Buckley, Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Yehudi Menuhin School, and his wife; renowned US-based Chinese vocalist Tian Haojiang and his wife; and celebrated violinist Lyu Siqing and his wife.

Representatives from Chinese and British government departments, cultural and tourism sectors, political and business elites, and mainstream media journalists gathered to witness the profound fusion of classical Chinese poetry and modern Western musical theory.

The event was organised by the China Cultural Reflection Association, with the following supporting and performing organisations:

• Supporting Organisations: Cultural Section of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, China National Tourists Office (CNTO) London.
• Performing Institutions: The Yehudi Menuhin School (UK), The Yehudi Menuhin School Qingdao, iSing! International Young Artists Festival, and the Asian Performing Arts Council (USA).

Centred on the theme “Nihao! China” and utilizing the traditional culture of the Spring Festival as an entry point, the event promoted China’s diverse tourism resources through a model of cultural-tourism integration and international co-creation, vividly displaying the profound connotations and unique charm of traditional Chinese New Year culture.

Guest Speeches: Promoting Understanding Through Art

Ambassador Zheng Zeguang delivered a speech in which he extended New Year greetings for the Year of the Horse to the guests and expressed his gratitude to the organisers, sponsors, and the Chinese and foreign artists involved.

He stated that this concert is a prime example of mutual learning between Chinese and foreign cultures and the innovative inheritance of fine Chinese traditional culture.

He noted that while political dialogue and economic cooperation are essential for developing long-term and constructive relations between nations, culture and art play a unique and vital role in connecting emotions, communicating ideas, and building consensus.

Mr. David Buckley, Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Yehudi Menuhin School, gave an enthusiastic speech, noting that the close link and deep exchange between the UK school and the Qingdao campus is a vivid practice of China-UK humanities cooperation.

By using music education as a bond, the two schools have progressed together in artistic inheritance, talent cultivation, and cultural mutual learning.

This has not only built a bridge for growth and exchange for the youth of both countries but also used art to continuously enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and British people, injecting lasting momentum into deepening cultural exchange and pragmatic cooperation.

Mr. Zhang Li, Director of CNTO London, presided over the evening’s musical celebration. He explained that as a flagship project of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s 2026 “Happy Chinese New Year” programme, the concert uses “Nihao! China”—the new global tourism brand identity—as a link. Taking the opportunity of the Spring Festival, the event provides a panoramic presentation of the deep heritage of Chinese New Year culture and rich cultural tourism resources through the unique form of cultural-tourism integration, allowing the audience to “read” and understand China through music and poetry.

Artists and young students from different countries used music as a universal language to cross oceans and cultural differences, building a bridge for civilizational exchange and allowing the imagery of Tang poetry to echo through melody.

Tang Dynasty Elegance: Artistic Reshaping of Immortal Classics

The Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD) represents the literary peak of Chinese history. Tang poetry is not only a treasure of Chinese art but a brilliant pearl in the spiritual world of humanity.

Led by Mr. Tian Haojiang, founder of iSing! International and renowned bass singer, 12 outstanding young vocalists joined forces with artists from The Yehudi Menuhin School and its Qingdao campus to perform masterful interpretations of timeless pieces such as Bring in the Wine, Farewell to Dong Da, and A Flowery Moonlit Night on the Spring River.

East Meets West: Connecting Ancient and Modern Through Art

The concert programme was meticulously arranged to showcase the rich layers of civilizational exchange:

First Half: Interweaving Tradition and Classicism. From the graceful Jasmine Flower to the Peking Opera-inspired Pi Huang, and onwards to masterpieces by Western classical masters like Mozart and Prokofiev, Eastern and Western arts complemented each other on the same stage.

Second Half: Diverse Presentations of Tang Poetic Imagery. The performance focused on the imagery of Tang poems, highlighting China’s open and confident cultural posture through the deep fusion of vocals and instrumentation. Whether it was the fresh interest of Ode to the Goose or the grand vision of From Jasmine Flower to Turandot, the audience was immersed in a profound Oriental spirit.

Harmonious Melodies: A New Chapter in Civilisational Exchange

As the grand melody of From Jasmine Flower to Turandot concluded, the hall erupted in prolonged applause. This was not just a musical feast, but a symphony of civilisations across time and space.

The ninth day of the first lunar month marks both the conclusion of the New Year celebrations and the start of a new journey. Although the festive atmosphere of the New Year is gradually receding, the national sentiment and aesthetic spirit carried in Tang poetry have crossed the seas to resonate in the hearts of every audience member.

We look forward to China and the UK using poetry and music as a bond to enhance understanding through mutual learning and deepen friendship through exchange. Under the warm invitation of “Nihao! China,” we hope to continue writing artistic chapters of people-to-people connectivity and shared beauty, allowing China-UK humanities exchanges to bloom even more brilliantly in this new spring.

At the venue, CNTO London held a Chinese tourism resource photo exhibition, comprehensively displaying China’s rich and diverse cultural and tourism offerings. Staff also distributed Chinese tourism maps and promotional brochures of various scenic spots, which were warmly received by the guests.