Not long after the successful return of China Youth Symphony Orchestra, China Teens Symphony Orchestra comprising students from the affiliated high school of CCOM, whose average age was only 16, went to Switzerland and Italy in September and October, 1988, under the leadership of Zuo Yin, the head of the orchestra. Lu Siqing, Guo Chang, and Dong Kun, winners in international competitions, also went there with the orchestra. They visited 19 cities and put on 21 concerts, and they were very popular with the Swiss and Italians. In January 1989, they went to Macau again, with Chen Zuohuang as the conductor. Their performances were highly praised by the local people.

Meanwhile, a “Little Musicians” team comprising 12 children from the affiliated primary school of CCOM visited Hong Kong and Macau. They put on 6 concerts from Feb 19 to 28, 1987. Their sincerity and artistic skills had made the audience intoxicated.

Visiting performances are an important form in our music promotion and introduction. In August 1979, after over a decade of isolation with the outside world, CCOM sent Chinese Orchestra to visit and perform in the UK, Ireland and Iraq for the first time, and took part in the 2nd Oriental Music Festival in Durham. In June 1985, the Chinese Orchestra took part in West Berlin Festival in the Federal Republic of Germany, headed by Wang Guotong. They put on 18 concerts in Italy, FRG, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Their performances had been the most eye-catching activity in the festival. In October 1986, a Chinese Musicians’ Team comprising Lin Shicheng, Wang Guotong and Hu Zhihou, went to the “Fall Festival” in France. They put on 6 concerts on the Chinese traditional music with Chinese folk musical instruments, and did some recording in the French National Radio Station. The simple and elegant Guqin, and the unconstrained pipe, urheen, and pipe solo, were all warmly received by the audience.

In 1987, “Beijing Buddhist Musical Group” comprising members from the Folk Music Department of CCOM and Beijing Buddhist Association visited 8 cities in France, Switzerland and FRG. It was the first time that the Chinese Buddhist music was brought to Europe. As one of the Chinese art treasures, it deeply impressed the European audience.

From September to November, 1987, the Central Orchestra visited the U.S. for the first time. They visited 24 cities and put on 26 concerts, covering the works of world-class masters such as Ravel, Dvorak, and Shostakovich as well as those of Chinese and American composers. They had been warmly received everywhere they went. In October 1990, more than 100 musicians from the Central Orchestra visited Spain for the first time. During their tour, they visited 21 cities and put on 22 concerts, most covering the works of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Manuel de Falla. These two tours by the Central Orchestra played a positive role in enhancing the art exchanges. The Orchestra visited 4 West European countries including Portugal during the early 1990s, and was warmly received by local people.

In 1990, a large number of musicians from China National Opera House visited Finland and performed “Madame Butterfly”. It was the first time that Chinese opera was performed on the western stage, creating great sensation.

In 1996, China Central Nationalities Orchestra made a performance tour to the U.S. It was the first time that the essence of the Chinese folk music was completely displayed on the western stage. In the Carnegie Hall symbolizing noble art, the Chinese folk music was exceptionally popular with the American audience. In mid-1990s, the Chinese folk music conquered the world audience with its special charm. During the Spring Festival of 1998, China Central Nationalities Orchestra held a Spring Concert in Vienna Golden Hall, which achieved a full success and received high praise. During the Spring Festival of 1999, China Central Nationalities Orchestra was invited to perform in Vienna again, bringing the Chinese folk music to audiences from Germany and Denmark.

Besides, some local music groups also made frequent visits abroad. In October 1990, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra visited the U.S., took part in the Centenary Concert in memory of Carnegie Hall, and performed “Roman Carnival Overture” by Berlioz, “Symphony No 2 in E Minor” by Rachmaninoff, and Chinese violin concerto “The Butterfly Lovers”. Their performances were highly praised by Yo-Yo Ma and Zhou Wenzhong, two famous musicians. According to the New York Times, they “were not far away from the European culture”. During its stay, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra visited 20 cities in 10 states and put on 16 concerts; the audience totaled 30,000.