Singing Bridges China and Russia

Anchor:

In a contest that has served as a bridge of friendship between people from China and Russia, 15 contestants sang in the semifinals of the Russian Singing Contest for Chinese Singers in Moscow.

Chen Zhe has more.

Reporter:

The Chinese Embassy in Moscow resounded with beautiful singing and warm applause Wednesday.

Selected from 12,000 participants over the past months, 15 contestants conquered the judging panel as well as the audiences with their passionate singing and fluent Russian .

Sergey Yakovenko is a famous Russian singer and part of the competition's judging panel.

"I can feel that they are singing these old Russian songs with their heart. You can feel their deep emotion towards Russia. It's very touching to me."

The singing contest was initiated by CRI as a state-level media project to coincide with the 2009 Russian-language Year in China.

Russian songs have been a beautiful memory for generations of Chinese and Russians born in the 1950s and '60s.

The competition has encouraged more Chinese to once again learn and sing Russian songs.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui said all the participants are not only singers, but also friendship ambassadors.

"I'm very happy to see that this kind of activity has served as a bridge of friendship between people from China and Russia. It's of great significance. These singers witness the mutual friendship among the two countries."

The final of the competition will be held in late September in Beijing.

Chen Zhe, CRI news.