Baltimore Symphony Orchestra hopes to foster closer connection between Chinese, US people

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), one of the leading orchestras in the United States, made its historic tour to China during the 7th China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference, hoping to use melodies as a bridge to foster understanding and emotional connection between the Chinese and American peoples.

In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), BSO's president and CEO Mark Hanson shared the motivation behind this landmark trip to China.

"This trip for the Baltimore Symphony is about building new friendships, exploring new partnerships, and showcasing the talents of our incredible musicians. On behalf of our great city of Baltimore and our great state of Maryland, we hope to build awareness of those two vibrant places in the United States. And we're just thrilled to be here," said Hanson.

He stressed the crucial role that music, often regarded as a universal language, plays in bridging cultural gaps.

"It is often said that everyone loves music. There's really no better way to bring people and communities together. I'm also struck by how musicians are perfectionists. They strive to be the very, very best versions of themselves, and at the same time, they have this craving to collaborate, to partner with others. And I think that's a beautiful lesson for us all to try to be the best versions of ourselves and to constantly look for ways to partner and to collaborate with each other. That perhaps even applies to countries," he said.

For many in the BSO, this trip holds personal significance. China-born cellist Li Bo expects more exchange events between China and the U.S. to better bridge the two cultures and connect the two peoples.

"This is a very special trip for us. I have been to China many times, performing and teaching, but this is the first time Baltimore Symphony, as an organization, visiting China. This time, we brought five musicians with us, and also our CEO, so, as an organization, it's very special for us. And then, I know there are many other American orchestras visited China before, like Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, but for BSO, it is the first time. And we hope there will be many tours in the future for us," said Li.

The orchestra had presented several wonderful performances in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province from Oct. 24 to 27, where the 17th China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference was held, then they traveled to Xiamen City, east China's Fujian Province from Oct. 28 to 29 for exchanges with local orchestra and celebration event for the 40th anniversary of Xiamen-Baltimore Sister Cities. The orchestra will also make tour performances in Xi'an City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Shanghai before they finish the China trip on Nov. 2.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra hopes to foster closer connection between Chinese, US people

Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement on new arrangements for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, under which the temporary northern and southern routes will be replaced by a new single route passing through Iran's territorial waters for two to four months, said a senior Iranian diplomat.

In an interview with the official news agency IRNA published Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the two sides had reached in-principle agreement on almost all relevant issues, including the entry and exit route map, following more than three weeks of consultations.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday described the ongoing talks between Iran and Oman as "positive" at both technical and political levels, with a focus on designating safe routes for vessels' passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to him, the two countries have reached consensus on the geographic coordinates of the proposed routes through the Strait and are now finalizing a joint statement.

However, Kazem Gharibabadi pointed out that the potential agreement did not mean that the strait would be reopened completely.

He emphasized that the terms of navigation in the Strait must be determined exclusively by Iran and Oman, and that Tehran would firmly reject any outside interference.

Gharibabadi rejected U.S. claims of negotiations with Iran, saying Tehran had received messages from Washington expressing readiness to return to commitments under the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides in June.

According to the deputy minister, the United States sent a message to Iran four to five days after the outbreak of the latest round of hostilities, proposing negotiations to address the issue.

Meanwhile, an informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team told the semi-official Fars news agency that the reopening of the strait hinges on tangible U.S. implementation of its commitments, adding that the U.S. Treasury Department's removal of sanctions on an Iraqi airline on Wednesday was unrelated to the Iran-U.S. MoU.

Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint launch of strikes on Iranian territory.

The U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region.

Iran, Oman close to finalizing deal on new Hormuz Strait shipping arrangements: Iran's deputy foreign minister