All of us in this room also share a deep appreciation for China, for its historical role in the development of great classical artists, composers, and conductors over the past 45 years, and for the central role it will most certainly continue to play in this regard in the numerous years to come. I’ve heard many people say that the future of classical music depends on China, and I have to say that I agree. As unding and audiences for orchestras in the west become increasingly hard to identify and attract, it is quite the opposite experience here. Today, there are now more than 80 major professional orchestras spread throughout the country, in cities both large and small.