The northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province got more than 40 of its musicians together in Beijing, on March 15, to discuss expanding its global influence as an international city, and to promote its annual Summer Music Concert, in August.

One of the participants, Fu Gengchen, an 80-year-old composer from that province, commented, "Harbin gives me inspiration,” then added that he hopes that it will produce more great works and artists so that the locals can be exposed to music, with help from the Harbin Music Conservatory, the Harbin Opera Theater and Harbin Symphony Orchestra.

Harbin does bring together Eastern and Western cultures and is the home to many outstanding musicians, such as Fu Gengchen, baritone Tian Yubin, and military singer Li Shuangjiang, who said, "I’m proud of my hometown and always will be,” then noted that he can still remember his Russian teacher when he studied music decades ago and that he is always ready to contribute to his profession.

When asked to comment on the music, Song Xibin, Harbin’s mayor, said, "The new Harbin Concert Hall opened at the end of last year and a grand theater will open in August,” and, that the city has plans to develop tourism, culture and fashion industries.

He concluded by saying that he hopes the gathering will be a place for all artists from Harbin to give suggestions on how to make this year’s music festival even greater.