Music and art exchanges can build bridges between China and the United States. That was the consensus of a discussion between Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng and representatives of the Juilliard School in New York on July 6. Ambassador Feng met with Juilliard's honorary president, Joseph W. Polisi, and representatives of the school's teachers and students.

The two sides agreed that exchanges and cooperation in the field of music and art are conducive to enhancing mutual learning between Chinese and American cultures and promoting people-to-people bonds.

Ambassador Xie said that music and art exchanges have played an important role in the history of China-U.S. relations. In the year after President Nixon's 1972 visit to China, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first American symphony orchestra to perform in China after the founding of the People's Republic of China. "Music Diplomacy" followed "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" and built a bridge for cultural exchanges and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

Ambassador Xie said that the foundation of China-U.S. relations lies in the people, and the hope lies in the youth. Art has no boundaries, and music can be a bridge. Juilliard and its only overseas branch, in northeast China's Tianjin, are successful examples of China-U.S. cooperation in running schools and an important platform for China-U.S. youth exchanges. Now, China-U.S. relations are encountering difficulties and challenges. Xie hopes that the Juilliard will use music as a medium to build a bridge between two countries and promote China-U.S. relations.

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