At 4:30 pm, June 2, Larry Lee, president of USCF invited some of his classmates in Renmin University to promote the Redwood concert in Beijing featuring Julia Zhu at Building of Chinese Political Consultative Conference. After enjoying Julia’s first song in her CD, Goodbye, New York (its lyrics written by Li Zhao Xing, former Chinese Foreign Minister), Zhou Hong Xing, founder and former president of Beijing Humanities University, curator of artistic gallery of Building of Chinese Political Consultative Conference remarked: “ Julia’s singing is not only very professional but also very sweet.”
Before the dinner at the banquet hall of Building of Chinese Political Consultative Conference, the guests from Renmin University visited the gallery of precious stones and artistic treasures. The atmosphere of this whole activity was very pleasant and relaxing.
Larry Lee, President of USCF, flew to Shenyang on the evening of June 8, 2007. Larry Lee was invited by Shenyang municipal government to attend a banquet and met Secretary of Shenyang Chinese Communist Party Commission, Chen Zheng Gao, executive vice mayor of Shenyang, Zhao Chang Yi, vice mayor of Shenyang, Song Qi, Tiexi District’ Chinese Communist Party Commission, LI Jian and many other old friends during the gathering. At 9 am, June 9, Larry Lee attended the inauguration of the restructuring of Tiexi District, an old industrial district in Shenyang City, now a pilot district for manufacturing industry. The inauguration was held in the new exhibition hall of Shenyang Machinery Group.
Tiexi District is the first pilot district in China for old industrial base and manufacturing industry; will be a model for the restructuring of old industrial bases in China. The strategy of stimulating the economy of northeast of China has achieved an initial victory. Zhang, Guo Bao, Vice Director of National Development and Reform Commission of China, director of the Office for the development of northeast of China and Li Ke Qiang, general secretary of Liaoning Communist Commission, director of Liaoning CPC inaugurated the monument. Zhang Wen Yue, governor of Liaoning Province, standing member of Liaoning Communist Party Commission, Chen Zheng Gao, general secretary of Shenyang Communist Party Commission and other provincial and municipal officials were present at this ceremony.
After the inauguration, Larry Lee along with representatives of domestic and foreign financial institutions and business leaders visited Shenyang Machinery Group, Shenyang Heavy-duty Machinery Group, Shenyanmg Blower Group and Shenyang Transport Equipment Group.
On June 9, Larry Lee, President of USCF, was specially invited to attend the financial meeting related to the restructuring of Tiexi District, a pilot district in China for manufacturing industry. The meeting was hosted by Financial Office of Shenyang municipal government. Larry Lee successfully finished his visit in Shenyang in the late afternoon and flew back to Beijing.
During his stay in Shenyang, Larry Lee also met with several strategic partners of USCF, including Neusoft and othe local companies in the northeast region of China.
In early June, Larry Lee, president of USCF, and Julia Zhu, artistic and cultural director of USCF banqueted former Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Hua Jin Zhou at Lido Hotel in Beijing.
Larry Lee was very grateful for the great support from Consul General Hua Jin Zhou during his tenure to the work of USCF in Houston, especially to Julia’s solo Redwood concert held in Houston. Consul General Hua Jin Zhou highly praised the work done by USCF. Both parties exchanged views on further cooperation in the future. Consul General Hua Jin Zhou was very pleased to accept the invitation from USCF and officially act as USCF’s advisor on international exchange, and would attend Julia’s solo concert “ Redwood ---A Celebration of China-US Friendship” which would be held in June 25 at Poly Theater in Beijing.
In June 16, Larry Lee, president of USCF, met with Song Ding Yuan, chief representative of USCF in Shanghai Office. They discussed the USCF’s work about next stage. Larry Lee was invited to attend “ Prevention Of Desert Spreading In China Summit”. Larry Lee met with vice mayor of Shanghai, Yang Xiong and other old and new friends at this Summit.
During his stay in Shanghai, Larry Lee also met with Li Zhen Ning, president of Zhixing Group. They discussed the cooperation in area of capital market. Li Zhen Ning said he was very pleased to get involved in the important work connected with USCF.
On June 19, the news conference for ‘The Redwood --- A Celebration of Sino-US Friendship” featuring Julia Zhu was held on schedule at Hong Kong and Marco Hall on the third floor of Hong Kong and Marco Building in Beijing. Former Chinese Ambassador to UN, Qin Huasun, former Consul General of Chinese Consulate in Houston, Hua Jin Zhou, Julia’ teacher, president of China Conservatory of Music, Jin Tie Lin, Julia’s vocal instructor, professor Ma Qiu Hua, president of Chinese Foreign Performing Company, Zhang Yu, president of USCF, Larry Lee, vice president of China Opera and Ballet Group, Wu Xuhai and other related officials attended this event.
CCTV, Beijing TV Station, Beijing Broadcasting Station, Youth on-line and other media reported this news conference. Soprano Julia Zhu sang the song Redwood, Summer time and other songs without microphone and won the warm applauding from audience and praises from vocal experts at the spot
At 7:30 pm, June 25, The Redwood Concert ---A Celebration of Sion –US Friendship featuring Julia Zhu’s solo concert was successfully held at Poly Theater in Beijing. The organizers of the concert: China Foreign Culture Group, China Conservatory of Music, US-China Foundation, the supporting organizers of this concert: China Opera and Ballet Company, Overseas Chinese Culture And Media Association, sponsors of this concert: CCTV, American Continental Airline, HSBC(China Branch), China Development Bank, Beijing Sida Stamp and Coin Firm, US-China Messenger Newspaper. Former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhao Xing and other high-ranking officials from Chinese central government, officers from American, Italian, Swiss, Japanese Embassy or Consulate in China, business leaders, social celebrities, Julia’s instructors, friends and relatives as well as over 1000 musical fans attended this musical event. Also, the guests from US and other cities in China attended this concert. Nearly 100 media companies sent their reporters to report this event. CCTV broadcasted the whole process of this musical event.
Many different musical works were sung by Julia at this concert, including classical Chinese traditional vocal works like Mulan Joining Army, Wedding-ring, Red Peach Flower, White Apricot Flower; and well-known western opera; in the second part of this concert, audience also enjoyed Beijing opera sung by Julia like The Death of the King and His Wife, Look, The King Sitting in the Tent; all the works showed the masterly capacity of Julia’s singing. Professionals remarked that Julia’s singing successfully combined the vocal works of different style, different countries and different times into this concert and Julia was a very promising singer. After the concert we had a pleasant and relaxing dinner party.
Former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhao Xing offered his collection of Zhao Xing 100 Poems to Julia and the Italian conductor of this concert Gianluca Marciano. (For more information about this concert, please visit USCF’s website and Julia’s Blog and check the article “Taking Flight through The Wings of Songs, Building the Bridge of Friendship”)
On the evening of June 27, Larry Lee, president of USCF and Julia Zhu, artistic director of USCF met with the world famous tenor Zhang Jian Yi and his wife Yang Wei Ping. Both parties talked about art, friendship, cooperation and development until late night. They planned to present the Redwood, Harmony and Friendship ----A concert featuring Julia Zhu and Zhang Jian YI in the autumn this year.
This tour performance will be scheduled to begin in the mainland of China, then go to Hong Kong, Marco, Taiwan, the countries in South East Asia and Australia and America and Europe and will give over 30 performances across the world.
