A group of outstanding Chinese musicians have convened in the Vatican to perform in a concert for the Pope and the local people. It was the first time for Chinese artists to perform in the city. The performance is believed to help bridge the cultures and peoples between China and Vatican and warm the bilateral relations.

CRI Reporter Chen Xi has the story.

Reporter:

The China Philharmonic Orchestra performed for Pope Benedict XVI in a landmark concert at the Vatican.

It's the first leg of the Philharmonic Orchestra's performing tour in Europe.

Yu Long, Conductor of the China Philharmonic Orchestra, said he was honored to perform for the pope, adding music can break down barriers between peoples and cultures.

"Music is beyond any religion, culture, language and I would say music is the language of the God. We could use this language to understand each other''.

The 75-member orchestra performed Mozart's "Requiem" and a Chinese folk song, called "Jasmine Flower". It was also accompanied by the 70-member Shanghai Opera House chorus.

The Pope calls the performance a "truly unique event" and offered a "thank you" in Chinese at the end of the hour-long concert.

He praised music as a bridge between cultures and peoples and expressed greetings "to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games."

Chinese ambassador to Italy, Sun Yuxi, also attended the event.

"Many friends from Italy and Vatican came to congratulate on me after the performance. They say that they feel amazed by the drastic development of Chinese culture amid fast economic progress."

He also hoped that the musical concert would facilitate the bilateral relations between China and Vatican.

After the Vatican, the orchestra will also perform in Venice, Italy, and Vienna, Austria.

Chen Xi, CRI News.