Music unites countries and peoples. Guizhou Province hosts Harmony of World Voices-2018 choir singing festival

From 26 to 29 July, 2018, at the invitation of the People's Government of Guizhou Province, a delegation of representatives of the SCO Secretariat, the permanent representatives of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tajikistan to the SCO Secretariat, as well as diplomats from the embassies of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan attended a number of events dedicated to the Harmony of World Voices-2018 international choir singing festival.

Over 3,000 foreign guests flocked to the picturesque town of Kaili in south-eastern Guizhou Province to listen to choir singing and folk songs as rendered by creative teams from Argentina, Italy, Gabon and Japan, as well as a combined choir from the Asia Pacific Region, and performances by the Miao and Dong ethnic groups living in Guizhou Province.

The festival is designed to familiarise the public with the cultures and traditions of different nations and to enrich their knowledge about China and its ethnic diversity.

SCO Deputy Secretary-General Aizada Subakozhoyeva gave a welcoming address at the opening ceremony and said that events of this kind helped to strengthen friendship between peoples and intensify cultural dialogue.

"Since its inception, the SCO has abided by the principles of respect for cultural diversity and striving for joint development based on the Shanghai Spirit. The SCO member states maintain fruitful cooperation in the areas of culture, arts, education and tourism and hold joint mass cultural events facilitating their rapprochement," she stressed.

The delegation went to see cultural heritage sites as part of their visit and the participants familiarised themselves with the creative achievements of various ethnic groups inhabiting the slopes of Guizhou.