Singer Stefanie Sun promotes album in Beijing

HK orchestra brings Beethoven to life on the mainland

Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zou Xiaoli told the audience that bilateral ties between the countries have grown stronger in recent years, thanks in part to such cultural exchanges.

"I believe that music can bring us closer and foster mutual understanding," he stresses.

Fotis Provatas, chairman of the Athens city council, says: "We thank our Chinese friends who came from far away to bring us a taste of their civilization."

Greek spectators left the concert hall excited.

"The performance has left me with the best impressions," says Georgia Papargiadis, a musician and teacher. "It was wonderful to see the presentation of China's culture through the traditional musical instruments combined with Western instruments such as the piano that we are familiar with.

"Art in general can unite peoples. Tonight proved this through the combination of these elements."

"It was a wonderful evening," says Amalia Matiatou, vice-president of the Greece-China Association. "The two artists are famous from what we have learned, and it was a great honor having them here with us from China. It was a great pleasure watching them tonight."