On the evening of February 6, the auditorium of UCSI University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was packed as a cross-border musical feast unfolded. Tianjin Conservatory of Music, in collaboration with UCSI University Institute of Music, presented a deeply moving artistic performance for Malaysian audiences, including local communities, Chinese expatriates, and international students.
The concert opened with the melodious strains of Yan Huang Style – Dui Hua, performed on violin, accompanied by piano and cello. This was followed by a heartfelt rendition of the Malaysian folk song Rasa Sayang by a Chinese vocalist and the graceful plucking of the pipa in Moonlit Night on the Spring River. The piano solo Chinese Rhapsody No. 2 painted a magnificent portrait of China’s vast landscapes, while the pipa solo Give Me a Rose captivated the audience with its crisp and moving melody. The renowned erhu virtuoso Chen Jun’s performance of Galloping Warhorse brought the concert to its climax with its stirring and powerful rhythms.
Professor Wang Hongwei, President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music and a celebrated Chinese vocalist, emphasized that artistic exchange is a crucial bridge for strengthening people-to-people connections. He noted that the concert not only conveyed New Year blessings to the Malaysian audience but also aimed to deepen interactions with local artists, faculty, and students, fostering a greater appreciation for the unique charm of Chinese music. Dr P’ng Tean Hwa, Professor and Director of the Institute of Music at UCSI University, echoed this sentiment, stating that music, as a universal language, has enhanced Malaysians’ understanding of Chinese musical culture and built a solid bridge for cultural and artistic exchanges between the two nations.
Image 1: Dr P’ng Tean Hwa, Professor and Director of the Institute of Music at UCSI University, delivers the opening speech.
Image 2: Moonlit Night on the Spring River performed by Ma Lin on pipa, Wang Siwen on cello, and Wu Chi on piano.
Image 3: Do You Know What Love Is performed by Xiao Ma (vocals) and Zhao Yang (piano).
During the concert, Sun Jianwei, President of the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association, was interviewed by reporters. President Sun emphasized the profound significance of cultural initiatives within the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. He highlighted that culture is the soul of a nation and the bridge that connects different countries and peoples. Through cultural exchanges, barriers of language and geography can be overcome, fostering deep emotional resonance and mutual understanding between nations.
He stressed that China-Malaysia cooperation under the Belt and Road framework continues to deepen, with cultural exchange playing an irreplaceable role. The exchange concert between Tianjin Conservatory of Music and UCSI University Institute of Music exemplifies this cultural-first approach, using music as a medium to strengthen ties between China and Malaysia. Not only did it provide a feast for the senses, but it also planted the seeds of friendship in the hearts of the two nations’ peoples.
Speaking on China-Malaysia people-to-people ties and arts education exchange, President Sun noted that arts education is a key means of nurturing talent and preserving cultural heritage. It also serves as an effective pathway for fostering deeper connections between the peoples of both nations. China and Malaysia each have unique strengths in arts education, and through exchanges and collaboration, students and artists from both sides can learn from one another, enhancing artistic development. This will not only advance the arts education sectors of both countries but also strengthen emotional bonds and ensure the lasting legacy of China-Malaysia friendship for future generations.
President Sun further emphasized that the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association will continue to fully support China-Malaysia cultural and artistic educational exchanges. The association will leverage its resources and serve as a bridge, actively organizing and participating in a variety of cultural and artistic exchange activities. Future initiatives will include not only more exchange concerts, art exhibitions, and academic seminars but also increased cooperation in faculty training, student exchange programs, and curriculum development. These efforts will foster deeper integration and mutual development in the field of arts education between China and Malaysia, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral friendship and promoting people-to-people exchanges within the Belt and Road Initiative.
Image 4: Ode to Beijing performed by Zhang Xiqiu (vocals) and Zhao Yang (piano).
Image 5: Galloping Warhorse performed by Chen Jun (erhu), Wang Siwen (cello), and Zhao Yang (piano).
As the concert neared its end, Wang Hongwei took the stage to deliver a stirring rendition of Heavenly Road, his powerful and soaring voice transporting the audience to the vast plateaus. This was followed by A Traveler’s Song, which deeply expressed the nostalgia and longing of those far from home. The evening concluded with a duet of Singing in the West by Wang Hongwei and tenor Zhang Xiqiu, bringing the concert to a triumphant close amid thunderous applause.
Professor Wang Hongwei, President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Malaysia Jiangsu Entrepreneurs Business Association for its unwavering support of the event. He also thanked President Sun Jianwei for his contributions to China-Malaysia cultural and artistic exchanges.
Image 6: Wang Hongwei, President of Tianjin Conservatory of Music and renowned Chinese tenor, performs Heavenly Road.
President Sun Jianwei reiterated the vital role of cultural exchange in the Belt and Road Initiative and affirmed his commitment to fostering deeper China-Malaysia collaborations in culture, arts, and music education. He stated that such events serve as a bridge of friendship, enhancing mutual understanding and emotional resonance between the two nations. This Lunar New Year concert not only comforted overseas Chinese longing for home but also opened a new chapter in China-Malaysia cultural exchanges.
Let us continue to connect China and Malaysia through music, transcending borders with friendship! Though music speaks no words, it touches the heart directly. The melodies of this exchange concert will resonate for years to come in the enduring story of China-Malaysia friendship.
Image 7: Group photo of Minister Counsellor Zheng Xuefang from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia (10th from left), Wang Hongwei (9th from left), President Sun Jianwei (4th from left), along with performers and distinguished guests during the final curtain call.
