Wuxi City of east China's Jiangsu Province has officially become China's first UNESCO Creative City of Music, with the designation conferred on Saturday at a ceremony in the city's Bogong Island Eco-Park.
At the event, UNESCO Creative Cities Network Secretary Denise Bax congratulated Wuxi and presented the official approval letter to the city's mayor. Bax said that this honor not only affirms Wuxi's profound and rich musical heritage and creativity, but also once again demonstrates the city's firm commitment to placing culture and creativity at the core of sustainable urban development.
The ceremony also saw the launch of the Wuxi Music Map on the Baidu Maps app, along with the release of several new public shared stages.
Seven major music projects were signed, including a 2026 European tour by the Wuxi National Orchestra and the development of a Hollywood Music District.
A side event was also held on the same day. More than 30 music groups composed of local professional troupes, bands, schools and music institutions, along with music-loving citizens, together presented performances to the visitors.
UNESCO honors China's Wuxi as "Creative City of Music"
Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China in Beijing on Monday.
As solemn music played and the golden doors slowly opened, Xi and Vucic entered the hall together, followed by Xi's wife Peng Liyuan and Vucic's wife Tamara Vucic.
Applauding guests rose to their feet, and paid respect to the two heads of state.
A Guard of Honor escorted the Friendship Medal into the hall, and amid solemn music, Xi formally presented the medal to Vucic.
Xi highlighted Vucic's long-standing commitment to advancing China-Serbia friendship and underscored the significance of the honor.
"President Vucic has long stayed committed to China-Serbia friendship, and he has always given China the firmest and clearest support on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns. He gains the respect from the Chinese people. This medal is not only a high recognition of President Vucic's contributions to bilateral friendship, but also carries the earnest expectations of both peoples for building a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era," Xi said.
The Friendship Medal is China's highest state honor for foreigners, reserved for those who have made outstanding contributions to China's modernization drive, promoting exchange and cooperation between China and the world, and safeguarding world peace.
At the invitation of Xi, Vucic is on a state visit to China from Sunday to Thursday, with this marking his first state visit to China and his ninth trip to the country overall.
Xi awards Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic China's friendship medal
