Medics of a hospital in China's capital Beijing has orchestrated a "symphony of recovery" for patients through organizing live musical performances at the hospital's outpatient hall.
The music performances at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital were given by "Xieyun", an orchestra launched by the hospital nine years ago. It is made up of the hospital's medical staff and medical school students.
Members of Xieyun voluntarily stage musical performances regularly for patients, their families, and other medical workers to help them ease psychological pressures.
In late March, a performance jointly by Xieyun orchestra and a art group from Beihang University was staged. The music performance is usually given at the lunch break time.
The orchestra mesmerized the audience with a fusion of traditional Chinese folk music and some classic theme songs from foreign films, creating a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western melodies.
"I am a little bit nervous. (Reporter: How many times did you participate in the performance?) And this is my third time to perform in our hospital," said Tang Xuanheng, an orchestra member.
Outside the crowd, Zheng Zhibo, a thoracic surgeon and who founded the orchestra, closely watched the performance.
"In addition to physically treating the patients, we as doctors and nurses, also want to heal their hearts with music," said Zheng.
Students from Beihang say the unique experience bears a special significance for them.
"It's a great way to understand that music can sometimes be a substitute for medicine and that it has a lot in common in terms of healing their hearts and diseases," said Liu Chuxuan, a senior student from the School of Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University.
The orchestra's performance has been well received by the audiences, who said the idea shows that the hospital really cares about their wellness.
"It is humanistic, and I think it's good," said a patient in the hospital.
"Having this kind of (concert) in the hospital may also provide some leisure time for patients to relieve their anxiety while they are waiting for treatment," said another patient.
Beijing medics orchestrate symphony of recovery for patients through live musical concert
Israeli troops expanded their operation in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday with tanks advancing towards the city center amid heavy gunfire.
Following hours of intense air and artillery bombardment of Rafah on Monday night, the Israeli ground offensive has forced tens of thousands of residents to flee.
"Based on the most recent information available, the Israeli armed forces have begun advancing towards the so-called 'red zone' in Rafah, which refers to the eastern neighborhoods near the city center. Eyewitnesses stated that the Israeli tanks entered the neighborhoods and engaged in clashes with armed personnel. At present, it remains uncertain whether these developments indicate the beginning of a full-scale Israeli offensive on Rafah," said Zhao Bing, a reporter from China Media Group (CMG).
"Although Israeli officials, including Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, had previously used terms such as targeted 'precision' actions to describe the Israeli military operations in Rafah, there are evident signs that the Israeli offensive is expanding. On Monday, the Israeli military announced that it had been attacking Hamas and other targets in the eastern parts of Rafah, particularly the border areas near Egypt. However, reports from Palestinian media indicated that Israeli forces carried out airstrikes and artillery shelling on dozens of residential buildings in the eastern neighborhoods of Rafah, leading to dozens of casualties and injuries," he said.
As Israel presses ahead with its military attacks in Gaza, the Egyptian government is considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel, according to local media.
"The Israeli military operation has caused disapproval and concern in Egypt, which has refused to coordinate with Israel on the entry of aid supplies through the Rafah crossing. Local media, citing Egyptian officials, reported that Egypt is even considering downgrading its diplomatic relations with Israel," said Zhao.
"Regarding the Rafah crossing on the Gaza side currently occupied by the Israeli military, Israeli media reported on Monday, citing multiple sources, that Israel last week, through the United States, requested the Palestinian government to send personnel to work at the Rafah crossing. However, the Palestinian side declined. It is reported that Israel, under international pressure, hopes to reopen the Rafah crossing with the assistance of Palestinian entities unrelated to Hamas. However, as far-right officials within the Israeli government strongly oppose cooperating with Palestine, the country specified that the Palestinian personnel could not participate as representatives of the Palestinian government but only under the guise of the 'Local Aid Coordination Committee.' This decision has caused strong dissatisfaction among the Palestinians," he said.
On Tuesday night, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman issued a new "evacuation order" for multiple areas west of Jabalia in northern Gaza, requiring local people to evacuate to the west of Gaza City.
Israeli forces expand operation in Rafah
Israeli forces expand operation in Rafah
