On Sept 25, the Bailu Sino-French Classical Music Festival launched its 13th edition, kicking off three months of musical events featuring performances by renowned artists from both countries. Through music, the festival harmonizes with the symphony of Sino-French ties, striking a resonant chord.

"We gather here out of a shared love for music," said Pierre Reach, a French pianist who has participated eight times. "The festival is truly unique. Our goal is to bring richer and more diverse French music to audiences here."

Vinciane Beranger, a visitor from France, was captivated by the town's French-infused charm and immersive musical atmosphere. "This small town brims with character," she remarked. "It offered a delightful gateway to experiencing China."

In 2018, Pengzhou city, where the town is located, formalized a sister-city partnership with France's Seine-et-Marne and has since fostered active exchanges and collaboration in the fields of economy, trade, tourism and education.

To date, China and France have established 114 pairs of sister provinces and cities. Stories like that of Bailu continue to unfold, as people-to-people ties endure and deepen.

Liu Jiecheng, an associate researcher at Peking University's Institute for Cultural Industries, stated that the Bailu music festival has already established itself as a signature cultural IP in western China. The next strategic focus, he noted, should be expanding the industry chain with music as the core, encompassing creation, education, leisure and digital content development.

"By cultivating a multidimensional ecosystem," Liu said, "the town can sustain and amplify its 'French romance' cultural identity."

Moreover, the story of this small mountain town mirrors a broader trend of enduring and deepening Sino-French exchanges, Liu said.