The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra’s 50th Season Opening Concert, "Thousand Reeds, One Universe", takes place on 19 and 20 September for two consecutive days at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Conducted by Yan Huichang, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the performance features a lineup of sheng and free-reed instrumentalists from various regions. Japanese shō, Thai khaen, Russian Jew’s Harp, lusheng and other instruments sound in turn, with the sheng engaging in a musical dialogue with the pipe organ. Across the two concerts, instruments of diverse forms, regional origins and performing traditions interweave, showcasing the rich diversity of free-reed instruments and kicking off the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra’s golden 50th season.
Before the event commenced, Mr. Lai King Man, Official Certifier of Sustainable Development World Records and Founding Chairman of the Family Office Institute Hong Kong (FOIHK), presented the "SDG Record-Breaking Partner" certificate to China Taiping Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited. He also awarded the "SDG Record-Breaking Booster" certificates to 12 organisations, namely the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan, 1010, China Resources Beer (Holdings), Chinachem Group, Kai Tak Sports Park, PCCW Global, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Shun Tak Holdings, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Traditional Music Department of Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Beijing Huaxia Xuanyin Art Communication Centre and Tianjin Jingyi Sheng Musical Instrument.