Jürg Burri, Swiss Ambassador to China, and Lu Shaye, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs, attended the concert and jointly struck a gong symbolizing Sino-Swiss friendship prior to the performance.
Entitled ‘75 Minutes for 75 Years’, the concert symbolized the long-standing friendship through a continuous 75-minute performance. The program brought together the Swiss Orchestra and the China National Traditional Orchestra for an extraordinary collaboration that blended Swiss classical music and Swiss folk songs with Chinese classical and modern music.
The repertoire featured a rich selection of works, including classical pieces by Swiss composers Joachim Raff and Paul Huber, traditional Chinese compositions like "Moonlight over the Spring River" and "Journey to Suzhou", and contemporary cross-over arrangements such as Jay Chou’s "Chrysanthemum Terrace".
A specially commissioned piece combining the Swiss folk song "Guggisberglied" and the Chinese Yi ethnic tune "Axi Jumping the Moon" served as the grand finale.
‘Tonight’s joint concert is another highlight of this anniversary year – a dialogue between Western classical instruments and Chinese traditional instruments, mirroring the dialogue between our two nations: different sounds, different traditions, yet coming together in harmony,’ said Ambassador Burri in his remarks.
The concert is not only an artistic milestone but also a reflection of Sino-Swiss relationship.
Switzerland recognized the newly founded People’s Republic of China as early as January 1950, making it one of the first Western countries to do so. Over the past 75 years, the two countries have worked together to achieve remarkable accomplishments across numerous fields.
Important milestones include: the signing of a comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement in 2013, the first between China and a continental European country; the launch of an Innovative Strategic Partnership in 2016, also the first of its kind.
China has remained Switzerland’s biggest trading partner in Asia and its third-largest trading partner globally since 2010, while Switzerland is China’s 6th-largest trading partner in Europe. The two countries hold regular dialogues on a wide range of issues, including economic, human rights, education, science, and finance.
