Abu Dhabi, December 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Symphony Orchestra held a symphony concert at the Emirates Palace Theatre in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on the evening of the 14th, bringing a musical feast to the people of China and the United Arab Emirates. This is the finale of the series of events celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Arab countries, and also the closing performance of the China Guest of Honor event at the 2024 Abu Dhabi International Arts Festival.

The concert that evening featured a wide range of repertoire, including classic Chinese pieces such as "Butterfly Lovers" and "Jasmine Flower", as well as symphonic suites like "Shahrazzad", "Russian Dance" and "Arabian Nights", and the locally unique UAE creation "Abahir".

Chinese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Zhang Yiming, Princess Rubna of the Emirate of Sharjah and other political and business figures, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese and students studying abroad, watched the performance.

A spectator named Mohammed said, "I'm very happy and lucky" to see the performance. Cultural exchanges have made the two peoples more friendly and close. A British couple on vacation in Abu Dhabi told reporters that they came specifically to enjoy the classic song "Butterfly Lovers" and the performance was very exciting.

On that day, a China Arab Friendship Image Exhibition was also held at the event site, organized by the Chinese Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and the UAE Chinese Cultural Center, showcasing the fruitful achievements of cultural exchanges between China and Arab countries.