Andrew Bales, president of Symphony Silicon Valley, addresses the opening reception of the fourth Across the Pacific – China Arts Festival on Sept 7, 2017.

The Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco held a reception on Sept 7, 2017, marking the grand launch of the fourth Across the Pacific – China Arts Festival and the Culture Week of Shandong.

Supported by the China International Culture Association, China Arts and Entertainment Group and Shandong Provincial Department of Culture, the festival invited Chinese Artists to the US to promote cultural exchanges from Sept 7 to Oct 25, featuring a series of events such as concerts, dance performances, exhibitions, lectures and intangible cultural heritage demonstrations.

The Harmonious Voice singing group performs Beautiful Jasmine Flower and Today Is Your Birthday at the opening reception of the fourth Across the Pacific – China Arts Festival on Sept 7, 2017.

“The relationship between China and the US has developed over 45 years since the publication of the Shanghai Communique. It has become one of the most vital and influential bilateral relationships in the world, and cultural exchanges play an irreplaceable role,” said Luo Linquan, Chinese consul general in San Francisco at the opening reception.

The art festival is a legacy of the seventh China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchanges and part of the Ministry of Culture's efforts to promote Chinese art in the US.

The cultural events will take place in Northern California, Seattle, Las Vegas and other western US regions.

Artists from the Qingdao Song and Dance Theatre perform at the opening reception of the fourth Across the Pacific – China Arts Festival on Sept 7, 2017.