The China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus, hailed as one of the nation's finest, captivated audiences on Monday with their stirring rendition of the Yellow River Cantata, performed alongside an Australian symphony orchestra.
Over 120 world-class musicians and vocalists, led by the renowned Maestro Guy Noble, staged the spectacular choral concert at Sydney Opera House.
This marks Noble's debut collaboration with the China National Symphony Orchestra Chorus and his first time conducting all eight movements of the Yellow River Cantata.
"A piece like this shows you a little bit more about the country, so I'm more keen to know about Chinese culture as a result of conducting this particular work," he said.
In addition to the iconic Yellow River Cantata, the evening also featured masterpieces such as Dream of the Red Chamber and Carmina Burana.
Among Monday night's audience was Zhang Andi, daughter of the cantata's lyric writer Guang Weiran (old name Zhang Guangnian).
"Every time I listen to 'The Yellow River Cantata,' I am just overwhelmed with emotion, and I can't hold back tears. It's truly a sense of pride in the Chinese nation," she said.
The Yellow River Cantata, composed in 1939, is a monumental work that has become a symbol of Chinese resilience and spirit.
Chinese, Australian musicians unite to perform Yellow River Cantata at Sydney Opera House
Nigeria's fuel market is undergoing a rare shake-up as competition pushes prices lower, bringing relief to local consumers while raising concerns over business durability.
In the capital city of Abuja, the state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has been selling petrol at about 815 naira per liter (about 0.57 U.S. dollars per liter), down from about 0.66 U.S. dollars per liter earlier in 2026. Other stations supplied by private giant Dangote are offering even lower prices, selling at around 750 naira (about 0.53 U.S. dollars) per liter.
For millions of Nigerians, the drop has been easing pressure on transport, food and daily living costs.
"I spend relatively lower on fuel and, by implication, transportation now than what it used to be," said Salifu Usman, a local resident in Abuja.
"We are happy with what we are seeing, because, of course, for a very long time, we are witnessing the crash down of price, even during festive period," said Jonathan Madaki, another resident.
The price cut has also allowed for higher profit margins for local small business operators, who have long relied on petrol-powered generators to cope with chronic power shortages.
Behind the price cuts is a growing battle for market share. The Nigeria-based Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa, has boosted domestic supply and slashed its wholesale price to around 700 naira (about 0.49 U.S. dollars) per liter.
The move has forced importers and the state oil company to lower their own prices to stay competitive. But as margins shrink, analysts warn, what now appears to be a price war may not last.
"My own interpretation is that we are going to that stage where, especially those that, if it keeps coming down, I think those that bring in products may find it not so attractive again. So I don't actually see how sustainable this price war, if I may use that term, will be," said energy expert Paul Ogwu.
Nigeria petrol price cuts ease living costs, raise durability concerns
