Italian American coloratura soprano Juliet Petrus was among performers, singing I love you, China in Chinese, alongside Chinese baritone Yang Kang.

After the performance, Petrus spoke of the significance of the piece she delivered.

"I have been singing I love you, China since 2011," she said. "My first time was singing it in Beijing at the National Center of Performing Arts. So, that song has a lot of meaning to me, because it was the first song that I sang in Mandarin."

The singer added that since she first performed the song, "China has become like a second home for me".

"So, when I sing it, I have been to all of those places (in the song)," she said. "I have seen those beautiful pine trees, those endless forests, … at least I know how beautiful China is. And it's a very moving song for me."