Youth choir festival set to bolster Sino-US friendship

Imoan Tifaga, a student and choir member from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, a city in the US state of Washington, triggered cheers and a huge round of applause from fellow teenagers on Thursday when he addressed the opening of the Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-US Youth Choir Festival in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province.

The major musical event involving young people from the world's two largest economies has brought together around 30 choirs and more than 1,000 youths from China and the United States. The US participants are from several states, including Utah, Washington, California and Illinois.

"It is through music that we will continue to bridge the gaps in our cultures, providing youths the opportunities to sing together, which ultimately brings peace in times of despair," Tifaga said.

On Jan 1, President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, replied to a New Year greeting card from teachers and students at Tifaga's school, extending their best wishes for the new year.

"While in China, we are thrilled to be singing with choral groups from around the country," Tifaga said. "We are honored to be brought here to continue the beauty of love, unity and diversity through the sounds of music."

Fuzhou and Beijing are providing venues for the choir festival, which runs from Wednesday to July 18.