A grand concert was held in the Concert Hall in Stockholm on Friday evening to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

The concert was organized by the Union of Chinese Associations in Sweden which includes more than 30 associations and units and sponsored by the Chinese Embassy and many Chinese companies and individuals in Sweden.

Chen Mingming, Chinese Ambassador to Sweden said that he thanked the Union and all the overseas Chinese in Sweden for holding the concert and also for their support of the motherland in many occasions.
"No matter it was for earthquake victims or for Olympics in Beijing, or for the modernization of the motherland, you have always been very supportive. I thank you,"said the Ambassador at the opening of the concert.

Ye Keqing, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Associations said over the past sixty years, China has made great achievements and China's international status is improving a lot.

"Every change that happens in the motherland shakes the hearts of us the descendents of the motherland. On behalf of the overseas Chinese, I wish our motherland prosperous forever," said Chairman Ye.
About 1700 overseas Chinese, students, businesspeople and many Swedish friends attended the 2 hour long exciting concert.

In addition to local Chinese artists, the Yangtze Art Troup from France participated in the performance. Traditional instruments such as Guzheng, Pipa and Erhu were performed while Peking Opera and folk songs were sung by artists in Sweden.

Ethnic minority dances from Yi and Dai ethnic groups were also performed.

The song My Chinese Heart brought people back to the 1980s in China and won a lot of applause.
The concert ends with Singing Motherland by all, the artists and the audience together.

By Xuefei Chen, People's Daily Online, Stockholm.