Notable French singing group Saint Marc choir based in Lyon has played a catalytic role in promoting China-France exchanges through music over the years and its director hopes to bring French music to China for more exchanges in the future.

China and France are marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2024, which is also the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism. Over the past 60 years, the China-France friendship has remained everlasting, cultural exchanges between the two countries have flourished and people-to-people exchanges between China and France have become more diverse and interwoven.

Founded in 1986, Saint Marc choir has enjoyed a long-standing reputation in Lyon, France, for more than 20 years.

As one of the most representative cultural cards of Lyon, the Saint Marc choir has given multiple performances in China.

Nicolas Porte, the director of the Saint Marc choir, said the stable development of Sino-French relations has facilitated the cultural exchanges between the two countries, and the differences in Chinese and French music have always brought him richer feelings.

"My name is Nicolas Porte, I am the director of the Saint Marc choir. Diplomatic relations with China are means for us to facilitate our encounters and travels to China. We are accustomed to visiting China, because the film 'The Chorus' which was released in 2004 in France, and had great success in China," said the director.

According to him, in July and October, the choir will also perform with Chinese orchestras.

"In 2024, we have four tours planned with nearly 40 concerts. The tours in July and October 2024 will be with Chinese orchestras. It is evident that Chinese music is very different from ours. So it is always very enriching to hear the Chinese interpret their music," said Porte.