Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, expressing his hope that artists across the world will continue their efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between China and the United States and spread friendship among the peoples of the world. In September 1973, the orchestra became the first American orchestra to perform in China after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Tarnopolsky earlier wrote to President Xi, reviewing the history of the orchestra's ties with China and introducing the activities scheduled to be held in China in November to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its first China tour in 1973. Edited excerpts from Xi's letter and his speeches on cultural communication since 2019 follow:

Excerpts from Xi's recent letter replying to Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra 

Excerpts from Xi's recent letter replying to Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Excerpts from Xi's recent letter replying to Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Excerpts from Xi's recent letter replying to Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Excerpts from Xi's recent letter replying to Matias Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra 

Excerpts from Xi's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations on May 15, 2019 

Excerpts from Xi's keynote address at the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting on March 15, 2023 

VOICE 

Sources: Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (III), Xinhua News Agency and Beijing Review