ARTS / MUSIC
Spirits high on Chinese social media as millions watch China’s version of ‘One World: Together at Home’ COVID-19 relief concert
Published: May 05, 2020 04:53 PM

Wang Junkai 

Poster for the concert

Wang Fei (left) and Chang Shilei

Millions of Chinese people on Monday night watched the live broadcast of China's mega coronavirus relief concert "Believe in the Future," featuring a great many of China's top musicians such as Wang Fei, William Chan, Wang Junkai, Li Ronghao and G.E.M.

Seen as the Chinese edition of the "One World: Together at Home" special, the first Believe in the Future concert was so well received that millions of Chinese viewers, who watched live on various streaming sites turned to social media platforms like Sina Weibo and WeChat to discuss it with friends.

The hashtag for the concert has been viewed more than 1.8 billion times on Sina Weibo, while other topics about some songs such as Wang Fei's classic  "Ren Jian" (Human World ) climbed to the top of the trending list on Sina Weibo.

 Similar to how One World was co-hosted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, China's Believe in the Future kicked off with the three hosts Bai Yansong, Hua Shao and Wang Han respectively broadcasting from Beijing, Hangzhou and Changsha and being joined online by artists who performed from their living rooms, backyards or studios. 

Bai is a renowned news anchor at China Central Television whereas Hua and Wang are hosts for popular variety shows.

These big names not only uplifted people's spirits amid the COVID-19 epidemic, but also brought hope that things will soon return to normal as the situation in China improves.