Singer Karen Mok and actor-singer Xiao Zhan Photo: IC

The Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 kicked off in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Sunday night, offering audiences a feast of music and a dazzling stage. This event was not only a vibrant cultural feast but also a vivid portrayal of the achievements in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while also embodying the shared national sentiment of compatriots. 

The annual event, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, conveyed Chinese traditions as well as cutting-edge art design. 

Since its inception in 2021, the concert has become a cultural nexus in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, fostering deeper connections among the dynamic communities.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. 

Even before the gala began, the hashtag for the concert had already amassed an astonishing 3.99 billion views on Sina Weibo, reflecting the event's popularity.

Why does the concert receive such high attention? When these familiar melodies waft from the stage and these classic programs unfold before our eyes, the answer is self-evident - it's not just because of our shared culture and language, but also because they connect our common aspirations and expectations. 

These regions are using culture as a bond to awaken shared cultural memories and promote people-to-people connectivity through cultural integration. 

During rehearsals, a heartwarming moment unfolded as Jackie Chan, the legendary actor, met Olympic champions Quan Hongchan and Fan Zhendong. He warmly embraced them, exclaiming that they are "the pride of the Chinese people." Chan said lifting the national flag for the country has been his lifelong dream, and they have achieved it. The short video recording this moment has gone viral on social media.

As the gala commenced, the collective live performance by the stars quickly became a trending topic on social media. Songs brimming with national sentiment and a sense of home resonated deeply with the audience. The rendition of "I Love You, China," along with piano performances of The Great Wall Ballad and Yellow River Cantata, pushed the atmosphere to its peak.

Hong Kong pop diva Karen Mok and Xiao Zhan, an actor-singer from the Chinese mainland, sang a song that brought a strong sense of emotional resonance and healing to the audience.

Chinese star diver Quan Hongchan's Cantonese greeting to the audience and her expressed wish to compete in Macao soon left a lasting impression. 

The 15th National Games, to be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in 2025, will be Macao's first time participating in organizing a large-scale national sports event. As the host introduced, the Macao SAR government is aiming to build a "city of sports," creating sports events with a unique Macao flair to attract tourists and promote economic diversification.

The Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2024 used music as a medium to highlight the commonality and continuity of cultural heritage. The 5,000-year-old civilization of the Chinese nation is the common cultural foundation of the Chinese people. The song "Descendants of the Dragon" simplifies and powerfully materializes this shared cultural identity, allowing people to feel the kinship of the same roots and origins. The classic song "I Love You, China" expresses strong emotions, showcasing the deep feelings compatriots have for their motherland. No matter where they are, Chinese people around the globe share a beautiful vision for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

A Macao resident surnamed Yang expressed her excitement after watching the performance, hoping that mainland residents would notice that Macao is a thriving hub for cultural and performing arts. 

This gala not only showcased the economic development and vitality of the Greater Bay Area but also used the power of culture to tightly connect the hearts of compatriots.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn