PARIS, June 21 (Xinhua) -- As France's annual midsummer musical festival unfolded amid the coronavirus pandemic, a virtual concert of Chinese and French folk songs performed with Chinese folk musical instruments was broadcast live on Sunday afternoon on media apps and social media platforms to share the passion for beauty and mark the solidarity in fighting the pandemic.

The online event, under the theme of "Poetic Fragrance from China: Traditional Chinese Music Concert," brought artists from both China and abroad onto the same stage to send out prayers for a victory against COVID-19 and wishes for the safety of the people.

China and France have shared weal and woe, worked closely with each other and jointly pushed forward international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye said when opening the online concert.

"As the phrase 'Unis nous vaincrons' (united we will win) goes, China and France have penned a new chapter in friendship," said the ambassador.

This unprecedented pandemic once again proves humans share a common future. "Only if countries around the world work together can we build a better and more beautiful world," Lu said.

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin started his speech with "xiexie" -- the Chinese word for "thank you" -- to artists who have helped make this concert possible and to friends who have helped nurture the cultural relationship between China and France.

"COVID-19 has harmed the health of human beings and forced us to distance ourselves from others and confine ourselves up. Nevertheless, we all know that this global challenge can only be conquered through cooperation," Raffarin said.

"Culture plays a vital role in the promotion of the cooperative spirit in global development," he added. "Music is a celebration, and culture is friendship."

During the concert, many revered folk songs of China were performed, as well as a folk rendition of classic French songs La Vie en Rose and Les Champs-Elysees.

The event was co-hosted by the China Cultural Center in Paris and China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, along with Chinese artists in France and students at the center.

When the central Chinese city of Wuhan reported the COVID-19 outbreaks, renowned cultural figures in France showed their support to China's fight against the pandemic, the Chinese embassy in France said in a statement.

More than 300 French artists and cultural workers had jointly issued a public letter, 40 theater performing artists lent their voice to the collaborative song Together, and players of the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club wore jerseys with "Be Strong, China" printed on them.

When France reported rising cases of COVID-19, the Chinese side also provided assistance in delivering medical supplies to France, it said. Enditem

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