On 25 February 2026, the “Nihao! China”—Echoes of Tang Poetry concert, hosted by the China International Culture Association, was held in London. Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, his wife Counsellor Hua Mei, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Yehudi Menuhin School David Buckley, President of the Qingdao Yehudi Menuhin School Lu Siqing, and Founder of the iSING! International Young Artists Festival Tian Haojiang joined around 400 Chinese and international guests at the event.
In his remarks, Ambassador Zheng extended festive greetings for the Year of the Horse and thanked the organisers, sponsors, and Chinese and international performers of the concert. He described the concert as a stellar example of Chinese and Western cultural exchange and of the innovative development of China’s fine cultural tradition. He noted that while political dialogue and economic cooperation are essential for countries to develop long-term and constructive relations, art and culture can play a unique and important role in connecting hearts and minds and building common understanding.
He reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to promoting cultural exchanges between China and the UK and its support for sustained collaboration between Chinese and British cultural institutions and artists. Quoting the Tang poet Wang Bo, “A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near,” and the British poet Percy Bysshe Shelly, “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”, he expressed hope that the people of China and the UK will increase mutual understanding and friendship through cultural exchange and jointly promote the steady and sustained growth of China-UK relations.
Chairman Buckley identified cultural exchange as an important means of bridging differences and fostering friendship. Music knows no borders. Artists from various countries set ancient Chinese poetry to modern melodies, turning the concert into a valuable platform for the people of the UK and China to listen to each other and engage in dialogue. The Yehudi Menuhin School looks forward to making new contributions to the friendship and cultural exchange between the two countries.
At the concert, young artists from the Yehudi Menuhin schools performed “Jasmine Flower”, “Pi Huang (Moments in Peking Opera)”, and classic Western chamber music pieces. Singers from multiple countries performed in Chinese music works inspired by famous Tang poems, including “Invitation to Wine”, “A Moonlit Night on the Spring River”, and “Hearing the News of Victory”. The concert blended tradition with modernity, showcasing treasures of Chinese and Western art and the charm of poetry and music in perfect harmony. The finale, “From Jasmine Flower to Turandot”, featured all performers on stage and brought the evening to a climax that resonated deeply with the audience.
