'Friendship Lasts Forever' concert held in Chicago to celebrate China-US friendship

The "Friendship Lasts Forever" music concert was held here Sunday afternoon, offering thousands of Americans the opportunity to enjoy Chinese and American music, culture and the opportunity to celebrate China-U.S. friendship.

Artists perform dance during the "Friendship Lasts Forever" music concert in Chicago, the United States, on Sept. 16, 2018. The "Friendship Lasts Forever" music concert was held here Sunday afternoon, offering thousands of Americans the opportunity to enjoy Chinese and American music, culture and the opportunity to celebrate China-U.S. friendship. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over 1,000 performers from both countries, including top tenor, leading pop music artists, orchestra, choir and dancers in traditional Chinese attire, performed at the two-hour gala concert at the Pritzker Music Pavilion in the Millennium Park downtown Chicago.

In the concert, there were American groups performing Chinese pieces and vice versa. Chinese tenor Dai Yuqiang sang with his daughter "I Love you so," duet from the "Merry Widow" and "Drinking Song," duet from "La Traviata." U.S. soprano Juliet Petrus presented Chinese song "Mayila Variation," which drew a thunderous round of applause.

A 100-person-strong choir performed both the U.S. song "America the Beautiful" and the Chinese song "Descendants of the Dragon."

With over 30 art troupes from six states in the U.S. Midwest, the concert symbolizes what it means to be unified, not only in the enjoyment of performing arts but also in the sharing of culture.

"Humankind has many common languages, and music is one of them," said Charlie Chen, 47, who has lived in the United States for 18 years and runs a business of his own, adding that the concert is an efficient way for American people to learn about China.

Illinois State Representative Teresa Ma hailed music as an "international language" that can help people understand each other quickly. "Illinois is proud to have such strong relationship with China," she said.

The China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important relations in the world, said acting Chinese Consul General in Chicago Liu Jun. "We must manage it well." He hoped the friendship between the two countries will last forever.

This is the second year in a row for such a concert to be staged in Chicago.