Aspiring performers around the world aim to gain recognition for their talent at the industry's most prestigious contest, Chen Nan reports.

On April 16, the China preliminary round of the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was announced by Yu Feng, president of the Central Conservatory of Music. The Beijing conservatory is a co-organizer of the competition.

As the largest international competition for cellists, violinists and pianists aged 17 years old and younger, the International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians was launched in 1992 and is affiliated to the International Tchaikovsky Competition. It has attracted more than 1,200 participants from 37 countries.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yu says Chinese competitors sent in their applications from September and the first round was judged online in April. The second round of the competition will select the first, second and third prize winners of each category, and the winners will give performances in Chengdu from Saturday to May 5. They will also receive master classes from veteran Chinese musicians.