Children's choir gives a voice to world peace

[Photo provided to China Daily]

When the chorus visited the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, the Ankor Choir of Jerusalem Conservatory, which was also founded in 1983 and includes 45 female students, performed Ode to Peace with the Chinese chorus under Yang's baton.

Commenting on the tour, the Chinese ambassador to Israel, Zhan Yongxin, says: "Music goes beyond religions and languages to help people understand each other. With the performance of the Chinese students, we hope the seed of peace will be planted among the younger generations."

Ma Conglin, 12, a member of the chorus from Beijing's No 8 Middle School, says the tour is a memory that he will cherish for the rest of his life.

"When we performed the song, Ode to Peace, and opened a silk scarf with dove of peace on it, the audiences stood up and gave us a long ovation. I was very excited. That's the power of music, which brings people together," says Ma.

He also says he was happy to have the chance to communicate with young people of his age in Israel and Palestine.

"I talked with some Israeli students in simple English and they showed me their campus," he adds.

Adding his voice of support for the tour of Palestine, Chen Xingzhong, the Chinese ambassador to Palestine, says: "We hope the friendship and communication between China and Palestine will continue, especially among the young generation."

Tayeb Abdel-Rahim, the secretary-general of the Palestinian presidency, says such performances can help push forward the peace process and boost cultural exchanges as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.