In tune together

Despite the language barrier, music serves as a means of emotional and spiritual connection, allowing them to communicate through simple English, French, and Chinese as well as gestures, eye contact, and even sentiments, Liu added.

Trigo said it had been wonderful sharing musical experiences with the children from Hainan, and receiving numerous gifts and warm greetings from a diverse range of people they had met on the trip.

"These memories will be deeply engraved in our hearts. Just like the French version of Auld Lang Syne goes, 'This is just a farewell, until we meet again'," she said.

On the last day of the trip, the French children visited the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden in Haikou. Trigo expressed hope they could come together again for an animal-themed concert, which would be a new avenue for the young choristers.

Many of the young French visitors said that only by visiting China can its beauty and marvels be understood.

"The song Si j'allais en Chine marks just the beginning of a dream to visit China. There are still many wonders in China waiting for me to explore and discover," said Lebec from the French choir.

Liu said at the end of each show, children from both countries sang Auld Lang Syne together, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two groups and exemplifying the wishes for stronger bilateral relations.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn