The Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival kicked off in Fuzhou on July 10, bringing together over 1,000 young singers from more than 20 choirs across China and the United States. This vibrant event celebrates cross-cultural friendship and musical harmony, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Fujian provincial government, the festival is part of China’s initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans over the next five years. Teenagers and young adults have gathered for a week-long series of exchanges themed around peace and remembrance.
In a congratulatory video message, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng emphasized the importance of youth exchanges in shaping a peaceful future. “Cold war, hot war, or trade war, none will lead to a good result,” he said. “It’s my hope that our two countries will sing for enduring peace and friendship, and pledge never to be enemies.”
The festival takes place in the historic Kuliang area, once a summer retreat for American missionaries and their families in the late 19th century. This location symbolizes the deep-rooted people-to-people ties between China and the United States. Stories like that of Milton Gardner, an American who spent his childhood in Kuliang, continue to resonate as symbols of enduring friendship.
Paying tribute to the wartime cooperation between the two nations, the festival honors the legacy of the Flying Tigers—American pilots who fought alongside Chinese forces during World War II. Local villagers risked their lives to rescue downed airmen, acts of bravery that laid a foundation of trust and solidarity.
Throughout the week, choir members will participate in a variety of cultural activities, from exploring Kuliang’s scenic heritage sites to campus visits, creating art, and staging musical flash mobs at local landmarks. The highlight is a grand concert on July 11, featuring joint performances that blend voices from both countries in a powerful tribute to peace.
Next week, the festival continues in Beijing, offering American students the opportunity to visit historical landmarks, engage in cultural exchanges with their Chinese peers, and gain a deeper understanding of China’s rich history and vibrant traditions. This two-city journey reflects a shared hope that the next generation will inherit understanding and cooperation, rather than conflict.
As the world reflects on the legacy of World War II eight decades on, the China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival serves as a timely reminder that music transcends borders and that friendships endure through generations.
