PLA, US army bands hold joint concert

The Military Band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the visiting United States Army Band Pershing's Own held a joint concert on Monday in Beijing.

It was the first performance of the reciprocal U.S. military band in China, which is paying a return visit here from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.

At the National Center for the Performing Arts, the two military bands played the two countries' national anthems, respectively, and co-performed traditional music from both countries.

The 76-member U.S. military band will have two more joint performances with its Chinese counterparts in Nanjing and Shanghai during the visit.

The PLA Military Band was invited to hold public concerts with the Pershing's Own in the United States last May. The musical exchange was described by the U.S. as "part of the U.S. Army's and PLA's ongoing relationship-building initiatives."