As the Lunar New Year festivities concluded across the Chinese mainland, the One Voice Children's Choir delivered a heartfelt finale to celebrations in Beijing with their recent performance, underscoring music's universal power to connect cultures. The choir's return to China marks their first visit since 2023, with their new anthem "We Are Together" resonating deeply with audiences ahead of the Year of the Horse.
"This song was born from our shared experiences in China," said choir director Masa Fukuda, reflecting on the group's collaboration with local musicians. "Every note carries the hope that distance and differences fade when we listen." The performance, held at Beijing's National Centre for the Performing Arts, featured Mandarin lyrics co-written with Chinese composers and traditional instruments like the guzheng.
Twelve-year-old soprano Li Mei, whose parents emigrated from Fujian province, described the emotional weight of singing for Chinese audiences: "Seeing grandparents wipe tears during our Uygur folk song arrangement – that's when I understood we're building real bridges."
Analysts note the timing holds diplomatic significance, with cultural exchanges between the Chinese mainland and Western groups increasing 18% year-over-year in 2026. The choir's itinerary included workshops at Beijing's migrant schools, where students joined impromptu duets of "Mo Li Hua" (Jasmine Flower).
As the children departed for performances in Shanghai, Fukuda emphasized music's role in global citizenship: "When our Korean member teaches a Beijing student to harmonize, that's the future writing itself."
