Photo: Courtesy of Zhang Jie

 Strutting across a 75-meter extended stage, ­Chinese singer Zhang Jie recently held eight consecutive performances at the Beijing National ­Stadium as part of his ongoing Future·Live - Leave for 1982 world tour concert series. He will ­continue his journey in other cities and countries as he celebrates two decades in the musical industry.

During his Sound of My Heart world tour in 2016, Zhang once performed across four continents, seven countries, and 25 cities, captivating over 250,000 fans over 498 days. His performances in the US at iconic venues like the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and New York's Lincoln Center underscored the global appeal of Chinese music. 

Recently, he performed with Canadian singer Faouzia Ouihya on Singer Season 9, delivering a show that highlighted their shared passion for live music. 

Zhang told the Global Times that their partnership was a natural connection, saying, "Faouzia's love for Chinese culture and her dedication to music resonated with me."

Zhang's international journey includes other global collaborations, such as his duet with Italian legend Al Bano Carrisi on Felicita. The performance, which blended Chinese and Western musical traditions, was praised by Carrisi, who expressed interest in creating a Chinese version of the song. 

"Music transcends borders and brings our hearts closer together," Zhang told the Global Times while reflecting on his international presence.

His work with US rock band X Ambassadors on the song "Torches" for the Chinese release of Transformers: The Last Knight drew widespread attention. Zhang revealed that during a private celebration party, director Michael Bay suggested posting their photo together on social media at around 2 am to see how many people in China were still awake. Zhang laughed and responded, "That's right, they're all in the theaters watching Transformers at this very moment."

Reflecting on his international collaborations with musicians and film projects, Zhang emphasized the universal power of music. He noted that while his English has definitely improved by going on international tours, it is more important that he has realized the power of music transcends borders and how it brings hearts closer together.

"When you sing, people will understand what you're trying to express, regardless of language," Zhang said.

Since a study trip abroad in 2013, Zhang has observed a growing global interest in Chinese music, particularly in its integration with traditional Chinese instruments. This realization has strengthened his resolve to continue promoting Chinese music on the world stage. 

"I believe that Chinese music will be loved by more people in the future. My wish is for my music to be present wherever there are Chinese people," Zhang said.

Zhang officially announced to his fans on August 11 that the Leave for 1982 tour would soon extend beyond China's borders. Further stops for world tour have yet to be announced.