Local residents of Brasília, the capital of Brazil, engage warmly with the PLA Military Band on September 22, during the Chinese Military Culture Week. Photo: Ju Zhenhua

Accordion player Pan Lu of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Military Band gazed out with excitement at the Brazilian presidential palace on Sunday. As she passed the parliament and museums, she completely forgot her jet leg from a nearly 30-hour flight. 

Along with seven other band members, all in their uniforms, Pan was preparing for a special "military music flash mob" as part of the Chinese Military Culture Week organized by the Political Work Department of China's Central Military Commission. This marked the PLA Military Band's first performance in a foreign community.

Pan, who had just returned from the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival in Russia, felt excited for performing for random ordinary people in a community. "Playing for 'audience' and playing for the 'public'— feel very different," she said. 

On Sunday morning local time, the Brasília import and export wholesale market was bustling with people. A group of musicians from over 18,000 kilometers away set up instruments in a corner, and delivered an extraordinary experience.

Trumpeter Guo Sixiao was the first to step into the crowd. As the mellow notes of the trumpet resonated, they cut through the market's noise, quickly capturing the attention of passersby. As the band played while moving through the market, the crowds parted to create a pathway; once the military band finished their piece and paused, people instinctively gathered around.

Lin Xiuping, a Chinese shop owner from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, shared with reporters that the market has been around for over 20 years and has never hosted a musical performance. Lin never imagined that the first event of this kind would feature a performance from China, let alone by the PLA band.

"I've been in Brazil for 25 years, and this is the first time I've been so moved by my motherland! When I heard 'Ode to the Motherland,' it truly touched me! No matter how far away we are, we Chinese can always feel the strength of our homeland!" Lin said.

As familiar Brazilian melodies like "Brazilian Watercolor" and "The Girl from Ipanema" filled the air, the atmosphere reached a crescendo. Enthusiastic Brazilians gathered around, dancing the samba and even humming along to the songs.

"I was just casually wandering around when I was suddenly drawn to this performance. I loved it so much!" said Rusaio, a local resident, who regretted that his girlfriend couldn't be there to enjoy the show. He quickly made a video call to her, giving her an "exclusive live broadcast" of the event.

When reporters asked Rusaio about his understanding of China, he admitted he didn't know much about the country. However, the performance made it clear to him that China is open and friendly - a place worth making friends with.

Sun Xun is a performer with the PLA Military Band; Ju Zhenhua is a journalist with the PLA News Communication Center.