From Oct 19 to Monday, the 12th Golden Bell Award was held in Chengdu, the first time the event has been held in western China since its establishment in 2001. According to Chengdu officials, its 13th and 14th edition will also be held in Chengdu.

The Golden Bell Award, sponsored by the Chinese Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Musicians Association, has four main awards for music performance this year. They are vocal music in folk and bel canto styles, as well as instrumental awards for violin and erhu.

A total of 42 music competitions were organized at the ceremony. Outside the awards hall, five special concerts were held in Chengdu.

"Chengdu, as the host city of the Golden Bell Award, showcases great strength in building itself into an international music city," said Han Xin'an, standing vice-chairman of the Chinese Musicians Association, adding that the hosting of the Golden Bell Award ceremony in Chengdu is also conductive for the development of the award.