City presents musical gift to Osaka, World Expo

Video by Wang Haolan, Lin Jianping

In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the friendship between Shenzhen and Osaka and in honor of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Shenzhen presented a unique gift – two music albums – to both the city of Osaka and Expo 2025 Osaka during the opening ceremony of Shenzhen Week at the Expo yesterday.

The gift-giving was jointly initiated by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation.

One of the two albums Shenzhen presented to Osaka and the 2025 World Expo in Osaka during the opening ceremony of Shenzhen Week at the Expo on Monday features two original compositions co-created with AI. Photo coutesy of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation 

The first album features two original compositions co-created with AI — “Osaka, Shenzhen, and Myaku-Myaku Together” and “Bougainvillea.” These compositions blend elements of Shenzhen and Osaka’s cultures, showcasing a fusion of technology and art.

“Osaka, Shenzhen, and Myaku-Myaku Together” is themed around the expo’s mascot, Myaku-Myaku, and expresses a wish for eternal friendship and a shared future between the two cities. “Bougainvillea” draws inspiration from Shenzhen’s city flower and celebrates the vitality and growth of Shenzhen children.

Children with the Beluga Boys’ Choir and the Little Lark Girls’ Choir record a song in the album. Photo coutesy of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation 

The music was performed by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra. Vocals were provided by the Beluga Boys’ Choir and the Little Lark Girls’ Choir, both of which are composed of children who were selected through a public welfare recruitment process.

The second album – “Mahler Symphony Series” – was recorded and released by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.

(L-R) Sai Wada, executive director of Osaka’s economic strategy bureau, Ma Weihua, chairman of the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, and Hikaru Nagano, executive director of Expo 2025 Osaka’s international relations bureau, attend the gift-giving ceremony in Osaka yesterday. Lin Jianping

Ma Weihua, chairman of the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, presented the gift to Sai Wada, executive director of Osaka’s economic strategy bureau, and Hikaru Nagano, executive director of Expo 2025 Osaka’s international relations bureau.

Sai Wada, executive director of Osaka’s economic strategy bureau (C), and members of the Shenzhen delegation pose for a group photo at a friendly exchange session. Photo coutesy of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation 

“We hope to use this opportunity to showcase Shenzhen’s achievements to the whole world because the World Expo is a world-renowned gathering that can also showcase the beautiful images of a city,” Ma told Shenzhen Daily.

Ma Weihua，chairman of the Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation, at an interview with Shenzhen Daily. Lin Jianping

“This event embodies the friendship between the two cities, the characteristics of artistic exchange through music, and it keeps up with the spirit of the AI era. I believe this demonstrates that Shenzhen has been continuously innovating, developing, and moving forward,” Ma added.

Keith Chan Siu-kei, a Chinese pop song lyricist and record producer from Hong Kong, is the composer and lyricist of “Osaka, Shenzhen, and Myaku-Myaku Together” and the lyricist for “Bougainvillea.”

Children with the two choirs record a song in the album. Photo coutesy of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation 

Chan explained that the two compositions uniquely blend AI technology with traditional instrumentation.

Keith Chan Siu-kei, a Chinese pop song lyricist and record producer from Hong Kong, at an interview with Shenzhen Daily. Lin Jianping

“I think music offers a powerful medium for showcasing the relationship between the two cities and promoting deeper mutual understanding and integration,” Chan said.

Children with the two choirs record a song in the album. Photo coutesy of Shenzhen Vitalization Symphony Development Foundation 

The Shenzhen Week event, which opened Monday and will last until Wednesday, is part of China’s participation in the Osaka expo and aims to introduce Shenzhen to the world through a series of cultural, economic, and artistic activities.