The symphony 'Silk Road Across Hanhai' (Endless Desert) premiered on Friday at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.

This musical work was created by composers Zheng Junsheng and Zheng Junli, commissioned by the local government of Hami city in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Conducted by the acclaimed young conductor Li Haoran and performed by the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, the symphony aims to narrate the story of Xinjiang within the broader framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, as articulated by Hu Dongming, the vice-mayor of Hami city, during a press conference in Beijing.

Nestled at the eastern gateway of Xinjiang along the Silk Road Economic Belt and encircled by the Gobi Desert, Hami city is rich in historical and cultural heritage, which contributes to its classification as a hub of 'hanhai culture.'

The symphony, approximately 70 minutes in length, is structured as a suite consisting of five movements encompassing a total of 15 musical pieces.

The first movement employs deep brass and string instruments to evoke the solitude of the desert while reflecting the rhythmic pulse of life, guiding the audience through the historical narrative of the vibrant land of hanhai.

The second movement highlights the fantastical landscapes and cultural richness of the Hami desert, illustrating both the vastness of hanhai and humanity's perseverance against the forces of nature.

The third movement celebrates the brilliance and cultural synthesis along the Silk Road, while the fourth movement portrays the modern hanhai landscape, emphasizing the continuous spirit of the Silk Road and the collective aspiration for a brighter future.

The final movement encapsulates a grand vision of the Silk Road, aspiring to unify the world and foster a community of shared destiny through its majestic musical composition.

In conjunction with the performance, the Hami government organized a 'Meet Hami' cultural market and photo exhibition outside the National Centre for the Performing Arts, aiming to showcase Hami’s diverse historical and cultural resources, as well as its tourism potential.

Hu emphasized that with the support of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the National Centre for the Performing Arts, and the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, this concert will highlight Hami’s distinct cultural allure as a significant node on the ancient Silk Road.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the image of Xinjiang, encourage artistic creativity associated with the region, and leverage cultural resources to bolster local tourism.

Traditionally recognized as the 'gateway to the western regions,' Hami city encompasses a diverse array of natural landscapes, featuring oases amidst the Gobi Desert to the south of the eastern Tianshan Mountains, alongside forests and grasslands on the northern slopes.

Hami Pterosaur-Yardang National Geopark, situated on the historic Silk Road, is noted for its vast and impressive yardang formations, as well as the largest concentration of pterosaur fossils in the world.

In 2023, Hami experienced a surge in tourism, attracting nearly 15 percent more visitors than in the previous year, generating tourism revenue that amounted to 13.2 billion yuan (approximately $1.83 billion).

With ambitions of becoming a cultural center, Hami continues to foster original artistic works, including the large-scale fusion stage drama 'Zuo Gong Liu,' which is slated for performance in Beijing in the near future.