It was the summer of 2025 when a rare and powerful scene unfolded across the Chinese mainland. Ten youth choirs from the United States traveled to Beijing and Fuzhou to sing songs of peace at historic landmarks, sharing meals and laughter before joining hands to sing the iconic anthem "We Are the World."
Billed as The Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-U.S. Youth Choir Festival, this event broke the mold of formal diplomacy by harnessing the universal language of music. From ancient courtyards to modern concert halls, hundreds of young voices blended Western harmonies with local melodies, creating a bridge of sound that resonated beyond borders.
Throughout the two-week festival, choirs visited historic landmarks and community centers, collaborating with local ensembles and exploring folk tunes from Fujian province. Rehearsal rooms became classrooms for cultural exchange: participants swapped song lists, taught each other new rhythms, and sampled local dishes, from Peking duck in Beijing to rice noodles in Fuzhou.
For many, the highlight came when all choirs gathered on a historic plaza in Fuzhou to perform "We Are the World." The spontaneous chorus, unplanned in official protocols, underscored the young singers’ shared desire for unity and peace. Smartphone videos of the performance quickly went viral, drawing praise from social media users across both countries.
As global tensions shift, the festival has emerged as a model for grassroots diplomacy. By inviting the next generation to lead with curiosity and creativity, The Bond with Kuliang shows how shared experiences can spark mutual understanding. In the words of one choir director, “When we sing together, barriers disappear.”
Looking ahead, organizers hope to expand the festival to include more regions and musical genres, proving that harmony—both musical and political—is achievable when youth voices are given a stage.
Reference(s):
Singing for peace: How youth choirs rekindle China-US understanding
cgtn.com
