To promote Chinese folk music, he has donated a vast collection of research books and music materials, including the folk songs gathered over the years in China, to the libraries of Heidelberg University in Germany and Leiden University in the Netherlands, hoping that this would encourage more young scholars to engage in research in this field.

Driven by this enduring connection, Kouwenhoven has clear plans: producing a documentary on Hua'er and writing two books. One of the books will detail the tradition itself, and the other will chronicle their shared quest, according to Kouwenhoven.

"Hua'er is an incredibly precious cultural heritage," he says. "I am determined to share this magnificent music from Northwest China with the world, to let these voices be heard across the globe."