On the evening of July 11, the “Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China–U.S. Youth Choir Festival Gala Concert” was held at the Fujian Grand Theatre. The event brought together over 1,000 Chinese and American youths. Using music as a bridge, they performed a vibrant symphony of youth and composed a new chapter of friendship. Guo Ningning, Deputy Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Fuzhou Municipal Committee, attended and delivered a speech. Other attendees included Wang Jinfu, Vice Governor of Fujian Province; Shen Xin, Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; members of the Chinese and American youth choirs; members of the Kuliang Friends group; and representatives from the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, Fuzhou’s sister cities in the U.S., and the arts community.
The concert opened with a stunning performance of Kuliang! Kuliang! as voices from the Yuying Choir of Fuzhou No. 16 Middle School and the One Voice Children’s Choir blended in perfect harmony, transcending borders and setting an electrifying tone for the evening.
The concert was divided into three sections: Voices of Friendship, Songs of Youth, and Wings of Dreams. Chinese and American youth arts groups took turns presenting their performances. The Southern Methodist University Choir from the U.S. performed Words of the Sun, showcasing pure, clean harmonies. Meanwhile, Cuckoos Calling for the Spring, a grand choir piece from China’s Dong ethnic group, conveyed an ancient resonance, and the She ethnic dance Phoenix Crown with Silver Light dazzled the audience with the vibrant culture of the She people.
In the closing segment, the Tacoma Youth Choir, the Hong Kong Creative Rhythm Choir, and the Fujian Symphony Orchestra collaborated for a powerful orchestral performance of The World as One Family and On the Field of Hope. Accompanied by the familiar melody of Auld Lang Syne and prolonged applause, the event concluded with great success. The young artists from China and the U.S., with their heartfelt emotion and exceptional skill, not only offered a feast for the eyes and ears but also built a bridge of friendship. They strengthened the bonds between the two nations and shared the stories of Fujian, ensuring that the “Bond with Kuliang” legacy continues to inspire future generations.
