Artists from California-based Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra perform at Rosemead Auditorium in Rosemead, California on May 20, 2023. A brand-new concert themed "East Meets West" was held Saturday night in Rosemead, California, to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. 

　　Co-organized by Merano Cultural Performances and Sino U.S. Performing Arts Organization, the event highlighted the achievement of AAPI artists who make invaluable contributions to Southern California's diverse and thriving cultural life. (Xinhua) 

　　LOS ANGELES, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A brand-new concert themed "East Meets West" was held Saturday night in Rosemead, California, to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

　　Co-organized by Merano Cultural Performances and Sino U.S. Performing Arts Organization, the event highlighted the achievement of AAPI artists who make invaluable contributions to Southern California's diverse and thriving cultural life.

　　In the concert at Rosemead Auditorium, hundreds of representatives from local Asian American communities and residents enjoyed an amazing journey where a star-studded lineup presented diverse AAPI art genres and styles.

　　Musicians from California-based Zhonghua Chinese Orchestra showcased masterpieces of Chinese music traditions. South Korean percussionists and dancers, Japanese Shamisen players and keyboardists, an Indian table-sitar duo and Hawaiian Ukulele singers also charmed the audience.

　　"We name this music project East Meets West because though most AAPI arts are from the East, they are thriving, through efforts by many talented artists, in the United States, where East and West not just met but are truly embracing each other," Susie Shu, director of the Sino U.S. Performing Arts Organization, told Xinhua.

　　"We hope our melodies would not just celebrate our common heritages but facilitate understanding and exchange among different cultures," she added.

　　May was officially designated AAPI Heritage Month in 1992 in the United States. The month-long observance provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the AAPI community's contributions to American culture, society and history over centuries.