Special musical performances were held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from Dec 24-25 to celebrate the New Year and to enhance cultural exchanges between China and Nepal. 

The two-day concert, staged by China's Tianjin Symphony Orchestra and organized by China Cultural Center in Nepal, was the first of its kind in the Himalayan country. 

The event held at the capital's Army Club drew an audience of about 300 guests including government secretaries, officials, political leaders, former ministers and music enthusiasts from different walks of life.

Addressing the function, Yang Shichao, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese embassy in Nepal, noted that Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1985, is one of the largest and most popular symphony orchestras in China.

"Music is a bond to link civilizations and mind with body. We believe such events are helpful to boost people to people exchanges and cultural cooperation," Yang said.

According to the organizer, Tianjin Symphony Orchestra has successfully performed nearly 1,000 large symphonic works within China and in various countries such as the United States, Australia, Japan and Germany.

During the one-hour-long performance, Chinese artists treated the audience with a number of well-known solo and duet pieces.

The performances drew hearty rounds of applause and appreciation from the Nepali audiences.

"Though I could not understand the language, I could feel the story through their music. It is important to hold such programs time and again to bring people of two countries closer," Ananda Pokharel, a former culture minister, told Xinhua after watching the performance.

Apulal Awale, president of Nepal Chinese Guide Association said, "I am very pleased to watch this performance from Tianjin. The music is soothing and relaxing."