Hosted by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the 2018 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Cultural Festival officially commenced in Beijing on Wednesday.

The three-day event comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, which is set to take place next month in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, and it includes folk performances and art exhibits from member countries to highlight diversity and unity.

"Unless people come together, anything is not that easy...and these activities especially the arts, music and these festivals are helpful in bringing people together and learn about each other’s values, traditions,” said Muhammad Irfan, deputy director of Pakistan's Ministry of  Broadcasting and National Heritage.

Wednesday's folk concert opened with a joint performance of the Chinese folk song "Jubilant", best known for its cheerful rhythm and incorporation of the "Erhu," a two-stringed bowed traditional Chinese instrument.

Music ensembles from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and China also performed separately to showcase their unique traditions and culture.

"Art knows no boundaries, it's a language that speaks to all. Our music and artwork can easily find common ground with other countries through our joint performances,” said Ermek Mukambetov, director of the Kyrgyzstan Concert Company.

The musicians closed the show with another joint performance of the famous Russian folk song "Kalinka," a popular tune that is often featured in Russian films and TV shows.

"This year marks the 5th anniversary of China's Belt & Road Initiative(BRI), and all members of the SCO are also member countries along the BRI, so the goal of this event is to really showcase the unique bond between SCO members and to strengthen that bond through cultural exchanges as we collectively welcome the SCO Summit,” said Li Jinsheng, president of the China Arts and Entertainment Group. In addition to the countries that participated in the music concert, Pakistan and Kazakhstan will join other SCO members in a dance performance at the Beijing Dance Academy on June 1. 

Both events have attracted attendance from high-level officials from SCO member countries, who have come to both showcase their unique customs and celebrate diversity.

Current members of the SCO include China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan. The Eurasian organization was formed in 2001 with the aim of deepening exchanges in areas of politics, economy, and security.