San Diego Youth Symphony made a tour of Yantai city in Shandong province, on June 28. The Californian-based musicians planned a number of concerts for local people, which were held on June 30 and July 1.

The concerts featured Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2 and 1812 Overture, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

In addition, the musicians were invited to visit Yantai's tourist attractions to help them better understand the city's history and culture.

"Yantai and San Diego have been sister cities for years and it is the third time for a San Diego orchestra to perform in Yantai. The visit by the San Diego Youth Symphony to Yantai has strengthened the friendship between the two cities," said Xu Ming, director of the Culture, Radio, Press and Publication Bureau of Yantai. "Music plays a key role in enriching Yantai locals' cultural life," he added.

Shen Juqin, president of the San Diego-Yantai Friendship Association, said she was fascinated by the city's dramatic changes when she visited Yantai for the fifth time.

"Yantai's culture maintains a sound growth momentum and this is why San Diego Youth Symphony chose the city as one of its three stops in China, in addition to Beijing and Shanghai," said Shen in an interview with journalists.

Shen also said that she plans to invite a world famous string quartet to perform in Yantai this September.

Edited by Jacob Hooson