A concert, "China Festival - East meets West," was held in Herzliya, Israel Saturday night to greet the upcoming Chinese traditional new year - Spring Festival, which falls on February 7 this year.

The concert was held by the Herzliya Chamber Orchestra under the patronage of Chinese Embassy to Israel.

It was performed in full symphonic ensemble of 50 Israeli players under the baton of Chinese conductor Xu Yian, presenting Chinese classic music Moon Reflected in Er-Quan Spring, a beautiful and moving piece composed by a blind Chinese musician first in the 1930s, and Song to the Yellow River Piano Concerto, manifesting strength, power and grandeur. The performance received standing ovation.

"Both of them (the two Chinese music pieces) are expressions of Chinese people's deep love of our motherland," said Chinese Ambassador in Israel Zhao Jun when addressing an audience of more than 700.

"Spring Festival celebrates the arrival of spring and therefore inspires fresh hope for the coming year," said Zhao Jun, expressing his hope for the peace in this region and friendship between Chinese and Israeli people ever-lasting.

Israeli Minister of Science, Culture and Sport M.K. Raleb Majadia also attended the concert.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2008)