One of China's best-known musical stars has paid tribute to the Queen ahead of an historic concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Song Zuying, widely regarded as the most impressive soprano in China, will join world-renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang and tenor Andrea Bocelli for East Meets West on Tuesday evening.
They will perform alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to mark 40 years of Sino-British diplomatic ties and also to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Speaking to Sky News ahead of the concert, Ms Song said: "I am really pleased to have this opportunity to come to London and to perform for the first time at the Royal Albert Hall.
"We hope to give a message of friendship and beauty through our music."
Asked what message she and the Chinese people have for the Queen, Ms Song said: "We know it coincides with the Diamond Jubilee.
"We wish the Queen a long life and good health."
Song Zuying, who is a household name in China, performed at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games four years ago alongside tenor Placido Domingo.
The following year, she and Lang Lang performed to a crowd of 90,000 at the National Stadium in Beijing.
"I would like to watch some of the games during the Olympics in London," she said.
"Unfortunately I can't be in London, but I will be watching the games on the television from China.
"I will watch the table tennis, the volleyball and the closing ceremony.
"I wish the London Olympics great success."
A spokesman for Tuesday's concert described it as "truly amazing - quite unlike anything before.... a stunning display of costumes, lighting and stage set are all going to make it a very memorable event celebrating 40 years of UK-Chinese diplomatic relations."
Pianist Lang Lang has been named the "hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times.
The trio will do a collection of solo performances, as well as a number of performances together.
:: Read more on the Diamond Jubilee at our dedicated topic page
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria.
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