A female artist sings traditional opera in an evening gala for the 2017 BRICS Summit and the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province, Sept 4, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

An evening gala Sail to the Future for leaders and representatives attending the 9th BRICS Summit was held at the Banlam Grand Theater in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on Sept 4, 2017.

Based on the theme of "sea", the gala consists of five chapters including Wind from the Sea, Sky and the Sea, Rhythm of the Sea, Tide and the Sea as well as the Dream from the Sea, highlighting the unique Fujian culture while introducing the strongest features of Xiamen.

"A gala distinguished by Chinese culture and the local artistic features has become an indispensable part of the high-profile international conferences held in China in recent years. Last year, during the G20 Summit, a gala featuring the unique culture of the Yangtze River Delta impressed the world," said Chen Weiya, director of the art designing committee of the evening gala.

Cultural cooperation has been highlighted at this year's BRICS Summit. While calling on all the member countries to jointly usher a second "Golden Decade" of BRICS cooperation, President Xi Jinping said at the opening ceremony of BRICS Business Forum that more events, such as cultural festivals, movie festivals and sports games, should be held.