To commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the inaugural ASEAN Asian Dulcimer Association Malaysia Summit Forum and the 5th International Dulcimer Music Festival took place in a grand scale in Johor Bahru, from the 7th to the 9th of September 2024. This historic musical event brought together top dulcimer performers, cultural artists, and educators from China, Malaysia, and Singapore, uniting them through the art of Yangqin to convey friendship and cultural resonance between China and Malaysia.
Co-organised by the Asian Yangqin Association and China-ASEAN Global International Education and Technology, the event was supported and guided by the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia. As one of the key cultural activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic ties, the festival was themed “Song of ASEAN” and was held at the Sultanah Zarith Sofiah Opera House in Johor Bahru, symbolising the close connection and cultural integration among ASEAN nations.
During the event, several remarkable activities took place such as the unveiling ceremony of the China-ASEAN Dulcimer Art Centre and 69 individual and group competitions of the 5th International Dulcimer Music Festival. A mobile dulcimer art classroom presentation at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia as well as a cultural exchange programme featuring Yangqin art at Johor Bahru’s SJKC Tiram Primary School had also taken place.
On the evening of 7th September, over 200 guests from various countries gathered at the Sultanah Zarith Sofiah Opera House to witness the unveiling ceremony of the China-ASEAN Dulcimer Arts Centre. This centre is set to become a key platform for cultural and educational exchanges between China, Malaysia, and ASEAN countries.
Zhao Changtao, Education Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Nur Maziah binti Abdul Razak, Assistant Director of the Johor Tourism, Professor Liu Yuening; a renowned dulcimer performer from China, professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, and Honorary President of the Asian Yangqin Association, Professor Wei Yanming, President of the Singapore Yangqin Society, Chen Yunyun and He Kangwei, Presidents of the Asian Yangqin Association, Dr Wei Xiaoyun, Chairman of ACC Global Consultancy Sdn Bhd, and newly appointed Director of the China-ASEAN Dulcimer Art Centre and Xie Zehao, Deputy General Manager of R&F Properties witnessed the unveiling ceremony.
Professor Liu Yuening serenaded his audience with a performance, featuring a team of Chinese Yangqin performers, educators, and students from various ages and backgrounds. The 15 performances were themed “Song of ASEAN,” with the finale, “Cha Ma Li Cha,” performed by musicians from both China and Malaysia, showcasing the inclusiveness and diversity of Yangqin art across different cultural backgrounds.
At the event, Dr Cherry Wei Xiaoyun was officially appointed as the Director of the China-ASEAN Dulcimer Art Centre, further advancing the collaboration between China and Malaysia in the promotion of Yangqin art and culture.
The 5th International Dulcimer Music Festival, held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of China-Malaysia diplomatic relations, not only showcased the unique charm of Chinese dulcimer art but also strengthened cultural ties among ASEAN countries. This event further solidified the friendship between China and Malaysia, injecting new vitality into future cultural and educational exchange activities.
