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Build a Bridge of Music and Play Its Unique Role in Promoting China-U.S. Cultural Exchanges

2021-10-31 23:55

On October 29, 2021, Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng met with Honorary President and Chief China Officer of the Juilliard School Joseph W. Polisi.

Xie Feng said that President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to cultural and youth exchanges between China and the United States and once emphasized that the China-U.S. friendship has its root in the people and its hope in the youth. Professor Peng Liyuan always cares and supports the cooperation between the Juilliard School and China. Not long ago, she sent a congratulatory letter to the campus inauguration of the Tianjin Juilliard School. The Juilliard School is committed to the communication and cooperation between China and the United States, and President Polisi has traveled to China over 20 times to make dedicated efforts for it. Xie believes that bilateral cooperation will have a better future, and the Tianjin Juilliard School will become increasingly successful.

Xie Feng encouraged the Juilliard School to play its unique role in promoting cultural and youth exchanges between China and the United States. First, it can be a messenger to soothe the soul and foster solidarity against the pandemic. Music can be used to alleviate COVID-induced anxiety, break through barriers and convey strength. It can be used to encourage the international community to work together against difficulties and oppose politicalizing the pandemic and creating divisions and confrontations.

Second, it can be the bond to maintain China-U.S. relations and enhance our friendship. It can push the U.S. government to treat the Chinese students and scholars and the Chinese educational and cultural institutions in the United States fairly and equitably and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests. It can replace "pin pong diplomacy" with "music diplomacy" to help bring China-U.S. cultural exchanges back on the right track.

Third, it can be a bridge for cultural communication and mutual learning between civilizations. Music, the common language of humankind, can be used to promote engagement rather than decoupling, tear down the fence rather than building a new one, and build a bridge rather than taking it down. The future of the world is not a solo but a concerto played by us altogether.

Fourth, it can be a pioneer in promoting youth exchanges and fostering friendship for the new generation. It can organize Chinese and American young artists to promote art in communities, spread the seeds of China-U.S. friendship in "villages", and create more bosom friends connected by music.

Polisi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to China on behalf of the Juilliard School, especially for the importance given to China-U.S. cultural and youth exchanges by President Xi Jinping, and the valuable support lent by Professor Peng Liyuan to the communication and cooperation between the Juilliard School and China. He said that we are deeply encouraged by the congratulatory letter sent by Professor Peng for the campus inauguration of the Tianjin Juilliard School. The two peoples of China and the United States do not want conflicts, and American and Chinese artists want to communicate and interact with each other. Music has the power to bring people together. When U.S.-China relations are in trouble, with our goodwill, good faith, and tireless efforts, we can help promote China-U.S. cultural and youth exchanges and support the improvement and further development of U.S.-China relations. The Juilliard School will make its modest contribution to bringing the two peoples close to each other with the power of music.

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