On January 22, Yang Xiaoguang, Chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, attended the London Philharmonic Orchestra Concert in celebration of the Chinese New Year at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Minister Counsellor Wang Qi and Minister Counsellor for cultural affairs Li Liyan of the Embassy also attended the event. 
Before the concert, Chargé d'affaires Yang had a meeting with David Burke, Chief Executive of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and David Buckley, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Yehudi Menuhin School. He introduced the customs and values in Chinese New Year celebrations, and presented the rabbit doll gift to wish them happy New Year. 
On behalf of Ambassador Zheng Zeguang and the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Chargé d'affaires Yang congratulated the musicians and staff on the success of their performance and extended Chinese New Year greetings as he met with them backstage after the concert. 
***** Founded in 1932, the London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of London’s five major orchestras and the largest orchestra in the UK. The Orchestra made its first China tour in 1973 and has valued the cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries over the years. On November 4, 2022, the London Philharmonic Orchestra held a special concert to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. This year’s concert for the Chinese New Year is an important part of the 2023 "Happy Chinese New Year" series of events in the UK. Buddha Passion, the opera created by the world-renowned composer and conductor Tan Dun, was premiered at the concert. The opera consists of six acts, namely "The Bodhi Tree", "The Deer of Nine Colors", "A Thousand Arms and A Thousand Eyes", "Zen Garden", "Heart Sutra" and "Nirvana". The performance received a big round of applause from the audience as the beauty of traditional Chinese culture and festive atmosphere fills the venue. 
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