Young musicians bridge China–UK ties at Chinese New Year concert

Music from both East and West filled Mansion House in London on February 27 as young performers from China and the UK shared the stage for a Chinese New Year concert, underscoring the growing cultural links between the two countries.

Hosted by the Yehudi Menuhin School, the event brought together students from its Surrey campus and its sister school in Qingdao, joined by internationally renowned violinist Lv Siqing.

Among the distinguished guests was Wang Qi, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, along with senior figures from the City of London. Wang said music has a unique power to bring people closer and inject lasting momentum into bilateral relations.

Hu Fang, Vice Chair of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK, said that while economic and financial cooperation between the two countries remains strong, people-to-people and cultural exchanges — exemplified by the concert — are key to building long-term mutual trust.

The programme blended Chinese and Western classics, from the traditional Jasmine Flower to works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Wieniawski, reflecting a shared pursuit of artistic excellence. The evening culminated in a vibrant joint performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, earning warm and sustained applause from an audience of around 300.

David Buckley, Chair of Governors of the Yehudi Menuhin School, said the concert embodied Yehudi Menuhin’s vision of bringing young musicians together across cultures to learn from one another and build lasting connections.

Beyond the performance itself, the event highlighted the role of youth and the arts in supporting long-term China–UK engagement, with music once again serving as a bridge between cultures and generations.