Washington (People's Daily) – A virtual concert for friendship marked the Chinese New Year on Friday, headlined by pianist Lang Lang and featuring hundreds of young American and Chinese musicians.

Young Chinese and American musicians presented an online music concert called "Sounds of Spring – China-US Musicians Virtual Concert 2021." (Photos: People's Daily)

Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said in his speech that he hopes fascinating music presented by the young Chinese and American artists will kindle hope and "kick off a beautiful spring for the people of our two countries."

Cui called art a "light through the wintry night and a bridge connecting countries, ethnicities, cultures and generations."

Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai said he hopes the concert will "kick off a beautiful spring for the people of our two countries."

The purpose of this concert is to promote cultural exchanges between China and the US, showcase the positive results of the cooperation between the two countries' institutions, and inspire the youth of China and the US to together face the future, fight the COVID-19 epidemic and promote development.

The artists participating in this concert are from prestigious Chinese and American conservatories, such as the Central Conservatory of Music, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Wuhan Conservatory of Music, Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Berklee College of Music, Bard College, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City and others.