On 19 March, a special concert by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra at the Auckland Arts Festival was held at Auckland Town Hall. Consul General Chen Shijie attended and delivered remarks. New Zealand Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith, Chief Executive Officer of Auckland Arts Festival Robbie Macrae, and President of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Zhou Ping joined the concert with over 1,500 audience.

In his remarks, Mr. Chen noted that the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest symphony orchestras in Asia and a leading one in China, delivered a performance of exceptional caliber. He said the concert would bring a splendid Eastern melody to the Auckland Arts Festival and write a vivid new chapter in China–New Zealand cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The Consulate-General stands ready to work with all sectors in the consular district to continue using art as a bridge to promote mutual learning between civilizations and closer connectionsbetween the two peoples.

This visit marks the orchestra’s return to Auckland after 51 years. Conducted by Yu Long, the orchestra performed a rich and diverse program featuring renowned Chinese, New Zealand, and European works, earning rounds of applause and cheers from the audience. New Zealand guests spoke highly of the concert, praising its superb artistry and profound expression as a vivid embodiment of the integration of Eastern and Western cultures.