China Broadcasting Film Symphony Orchestra gives a new year symphony concert at the Orpheum Theater in Vancouver Jan 12, 2018. [Photo/Chinaculture.org]

With a unique selection of Chinese traditional and Western classic favorites, China Broadcasting Film Symphony Orchestra staged a new year symphony concert at the Orpheum Theater in Vancouver on Jan 12, kicking off the celebrations of 2018 Happy Chinese New Year in Canada.

Tong Xiaoling, Chinese counsel general in Vancouver, said at the concert that as the Chinese Lunar New Year is the very embodiment of Chinese traditional culture. Cultural exchange is an important part in strengthening the ties between China and Canada, and the Happy Chinese New Year celebrations in Canada can play a key role in promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Vancouver is the last destination of China Broadcasting Film Symphony Orchestra's 2018 Canada tour. The concert combined a variety of legendary film soundtracks that featured cultural offerings integrating West and East, including Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Shaolin Temple, Visitors on the Icy Mountain, and A Dream of Red Mansions.

After the concert, the capacity crowd, more than 2,000 people, gave the Chinese artists a standing ovation, calling for an encore. The orchestra gave four encores before concluding the whole concert.

Happy Chinese New Year is a worldwide activity for celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year hosted by the Ministry of Culture of the PRC and other Chinese authorities since 2009. It seeks to provide a global platform that is joyful, harmonious and accessible to all, to encourage people across the world to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, experience the profound yet interesting Chinese culture and understand the huge achievements China has made. This year, over 2,100 cultural activities will be held in over 400 cities across more than 140 countries and regions worldwide.