The Zheng Lücheng International Concert & International Academic Symposium was held at Hunan Grand Theater on Nov. 17. It was sponsored by the Gwangju Government, Changsha Municipal People’s Government, and coordinated by Hunan University (HNU), Honam University in South Korea, as well as Gwangju Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, the Publicity Department of the CPC Changsha Municipal Committee, and Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Changsha City.

Initiated in 2005, the Concert aims to enhance diplomatic ties between Gwangju and China and commemorate Korean-born Chinese Zheng Lücheng, one of the three famous Chinese musicians and composer of the music “Military Anthem of the People's Liberation Army”.

Gwangju Orchestra and Chorus gave a performance of Zheng’s masterpiece “Ode to Yan’an”, and Hunan University Chorus’s brilliant performances deeply impressed the international audience.

“The works and revolutionary spirit of Zheng Lücheng are deserved to be passed down to the younger generations,” remarked Yoon Jang-hyeon, mayor of Gwangju City. He added that 2015 marked the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese aggression and the world Anti-Fascist war. Gwangju witnessed a major nationwide uprising against Japanese rule during the colonial period while Changsha, hometown of great Chinese leaders is hailed as an important revolutionary base during the period of the Japanese invasion of China. Mayor Yoon viewed the Concert as a crucial opportunity to spread Zheng’s spirit and cement the friendship of both sides.

On the afternoon of Nov. 18, Zheng Lücheng International Academic Symposium was lunched at HNU College of International Studies. Scholars from China and South Korea discussed about Zheng’s music and his resistance against Japanese aggression. Dean of the Confucius Institute in Honam University Jeon Seek Lee presided over the symposium.