The third Belt and Road China-UK International Music Festival was held in British cities, including London, Oxford, and Cambridge, from Jan 14 to 20 to usher in the Year of the Rat as well as boost cultural exchange between the two countries.

The weeklong event, featuring more than 10 concerts, lectures and music competitions staged by Chinese and UK musicians, attracted more than 1, 500 local audience members.

Opening on Jan 14 at the upper house of Parliament in London, the event was attended by Lord Sheikh, Lord Bates, minister and cultural counselor of the Chinese embassy in the UK Yu Peng, and many other Chinese and British dignitaries.