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China's national orchestra had a very special guest when they per- formed at the Paul VI Audience Hall of the Vatican on May 7. Pope Benedict XVI was in the audience when the China Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by the Shanghai Opera House Chorus, launched the first leg of its European tour.

The concert is unprecedented, as Beijing and the Vatican have had no diplomatic ties since 1951.

Mozart's Requiem and the well-known Chinese folk song Jasmine Flower were pre- sented at the concert.