Kim-Chomicka plans to celebrate Women's Day with all the wonderful women she knows.

"Being with other women who are energetic and successful is the best way for me to feel that way as well," she says.

"It also encourages me to continue to present my country in China and to make friends."

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The Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra performed eight pieces of classical Chinese folk music, including Jackdaws Play in the Water,The Moon's Refection on the Fountain and Moonlight on the Spring River.

The orchestra, which consists of musicians from the China Conservatory, visited more than 10 countries and regions, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, as one of the Ministry of Culture's top art groups.

"It's my first time to listen to Chinese folk music, but I'm not lost," says Busi Thage, wife of the South African embassy's minister plenipotentiary.

"I'm enjoying each minute. The music is actually close to that in my country."

Professor Shen Cheng, a famous huqin (a traditional stringed instrument) player from the conservatory, gave a lecture on the history of traditional Chinese musical instruments and played various styles of classical folk music from different eras.

Thage says she enjoyed the lecture.

"I only started to learn piano last year, but the lecture makes me think about which traditional Chinese instrument I'd like to learn because I like music," she says.

Le says: "Chinese folk music reflects our national culture and spirit. I hope the foreign guests understand more about Chinese culture and spread it to their countries."

xulin@chinadaily.com.cn