BBC National Orchestra of Wales to tour China

BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) will tour China from Dec 15 to 21, offering five concerts in four cities aimed at fostering creative collaborations between China and Wales, the orchestra announced Tuesday.

With Chinese Principal Guest Conductor Zhang Xian, the orchestra begins its tour with two concerts in Beijing. They will then travel to Changsha, Wuhan and Shenzhen.

According to BBC NOW, the visit marks the first time Zhang has toured her home country with a European symphony orchestra.

"I conduct a number of the Chinese orchestras on a regular basis, but this is the first time I have toured China with a European Orchestra. I am very much looking forward to introducing the musicians of BBC NOW to my own country, and I think that the cultural cooperation with my musicians and the musicians in Shenzhen will be extremely interesting for us all," Zhang said.