Artists from China and Fiji sing a Fijian song together accompanied by Chinese classical instruments at a concert jointly held by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Fiji's Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts in Suva, Fiji, Sept. 13, 2025. (Photo by Gao Xin/Xinhua)

SUVA, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Fiji's Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts have co-hosted a concert here to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the 10th anniversary of China Cultural Center in Fiji.

The event, themed "Xi'an Drum Music and South Pacific Melodies," attracted more than 500 participants on Thursday, including Chinese and Fijian officials, representatives from the Chinese community, and people from all walks of life.

Dressed in traditional Tang Dynasty costumes, artists from northwest China's Shannxi Province showcased the beauty of Xi'an Drum Music, a cultural heritage that has been passed down for thousands of years.

The music, also known as Xi'an guyue, is the regional Chinese ritual music genre featuring a type of wind and percussion ensemble named for its place of origin, Xi'an, capital of Shannxi. It was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009.

The Fijian performers presented the Meke, a traditional Fijian dance and performance that combines singing, music, and storytelling to convey legends, history, and cultural values.

At the finale, artists from both countries collaborated to sing a Fijian song accompanied by Chinese classical instruments, which resonated with the audience and received prolonged applause.

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian said that the collaboration between Chinese and Fijian artists highlighted the intersection of ancient Chinese civilization and the vibrant culture of Fiji, expressing a shared hope for the development of Sino-Fijian relations and world peace.

Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu, assistant minister for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts, praised the friendship between China and Fiji, which promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding, wishing for fruitful outcomes in the partnership between the two countries. ■

Chinese artists perform Xi'an Drum Music at a concert jointly held by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Fiji's Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage, and Arts in Suva, Fiji, Sept. 13, 2025. (Photo by Gao Xin/Xinhua)