Chinese music is loved by the world: political adviser

Chinese music has gradually been understood, accepted and loved by people from around the world, Liu Yuening, leading yangqin (a Chinese dulcimer) performer, Central Conservatory of Music professor, and national political adviser said on Saturday.

Over the last five years, about 200 teachers and students from 13 countries have learned Chinese music at the conservatory, and brought what they've learnt to others, Liu told reporters at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

One Canadian student even formed a Chinese folk music band with classmates back home, having learnt the xiao (a vertical bamboo flute), zhongruan (a traditional Chinese four-stringed lute) and yangqin for three years, she said.

The conservatory produced the world's first bilingual textbooks and video series for foreigners to learn Chinese music, focusing on performance and folk songs. Some colleges in Denmark and North America have opened Chinese music courses, according to Liu.

"Music has brought people from different cultures closer. I believe Chinese music belongs to, and will be cherished by, the world," she said.

Also on Saturday national political adviser Feng Gong, Chinese actor and crosstalk performer, said that he was inspired by President Xi Jinping's remarks during a March 4 meeting with culture, art and social sciences political advisers during the ongoing two sessions.

Xi called on advisers to listen to the voice of the times, keep up with the times and put the people at the center of their work.

Feng, chairman of the China Literary and Art Volunteers' Association, said the association has organized activities in factories, villages, schools and poor mountainous areas, and has felt people's enthusiasm for culture and art.

"People need art. Art also needs people. Literary and art workers should stay in close touch with the people to feel their joy and sadness, in order to produce works that are close to real life, welcomed by the public and can be passed down from generation to generation," he said.

Feng is best known for his performances in the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala, China's most watched annual television show on Lunar New Year's Eve. Feng has appeared on the show 32 times since 1986.