No relationship between two countries in this century is more important than that of China and the United States, and people-to-people and cultural exchange can help enhance this relationship, said a distinguished musician in Chicago during a recent interview with Xinhua.

    "Music as a universal language has been playing an important role in promoting cultural exchange. As Chinese musicians, we can play an even more effective role to nurture and enhance this relationship. We should really treasure this opportunity to achieve this goal," Li-Kuo Chang, Assistant Principal Viola at Chicago Symphony Orchestra, told Xinhua.

    Chang was the very first musician from the Chinese mainland in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which he joined in 1988.

    In 2002, Chang organized a trip with Shanghai Media Group, which took about 40 musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the Shanghai Spring Musical Festival. They played together with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra during the festival.

    "This is the very first time for these people to step on China's soil. After a whole week, they came back and said that finally they knew about China first-hand. They told me that now no matter what the U.S. media or politicians say about China, they can explain to them this is the real China! So this is the kind of the result if we do cultural exchange -- it really goes into people's heart," Chang said.

    Commenting on the development of Chinese music on the world stage, Chang said that it is more and more known in the United States because of the achievement and high status of some distinguished Chinese musicians such as Lang Lang and Dun Tan.

    He is very proud of the growing influence of Chinese musicians and music, but believes this is far from being enough.

    "I hope we can think of more ways to export more Chinese-style high-quality original music and introduce them to Western audiences. We have that and just need to package it better," he noted.

    "Small or big we have to start somewhere and push for it. I hope someday I can introduce more Chinese performers to this very stage at Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This kind of cultural exchange is more effective than anything else to promote mutual understanding between Chinese and Americans," Chang said.

    In January 2009, after about two decades' efforts, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra finally took its very first historical trip to China and achieved great success in Shanghai and Beijing.

    "Only a few days ago I was informed that we won the prestigious music award in Shanghai in the most important category 'The Concert of the Year' and 'The Conductor of the year.' I will be there in mid December to receive the award on behalf of Chicago Symphony Orchestra," Chang said.

    On Chinese symphonic music, Chang said: "I think right now is a very exciting time for Chinese symphonic music to develop and to gradually emerge as an important part of symphonic world. Japanese has achieved that. With so many talented Chinese musicians, China has started to achieve that too."

    As part of the efforts, Yu Long, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra's music director, has officially invited Chang to be the guest principal viola to spend 5 to 10 weeks each year to play with musicians over there.

    "Nine other overseas Chinese musicians from Los Angeles, New York, Germany are also invited to be the guest principal or concert master. Chinese orchestra's level is not very balanced but it has great flexibility and capability to do great things. From the first day of rehearsal to the first day of concert, it sounds like two different orchestras. I experienced that -- they can improve quickly," Chang said.

    The most exciting news is that Riccardo Muti, the new musical director at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a huge international star, accepted the invitation from Yu Long of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and is going to conduct a New Year concert with the Shanghai Orchestra.

    The Chicago Symphony Orchestra currently has eleven Chinese musicians and they have been playing a very important role to make the orchestra one of the best in the world.