In 1993, Guangzhou held its first New Year's concert at the Xinhai Concert Hall. It was really an unprecedented event. People dressed themselves formally to go to enjoy a symphonic concert that many saw as a new step in people's artistic awareness. After thirty years of reform and opening-up, this concert allowed citizens to once again cultivate their aesthetic tastes and that the Guangdong government would spare no efforts in developing cultural venues and helping to improve its citizen's level of culture. Time had come for money to no longer be the only criteria on which to judge development.

Long Shaomei and her husband are concert lovers, and they say that through music, they find an intimate satisfaction to beauty.

"We go to the concerts every year. They are excellent! Listening to the music makes me feel calm and comfortable. You can't get that feeling when listening to a record at home."

Long Shaomei's husband, Chen Weiming is head of the Guangzhou Mingshi Watch Company. He is a classical music buff and a bookworm.

"Music makes me feel comfortable, and when you listen carefully enough, you will find that each melody contains philosophical subtleties. After listening to music, I feel I can treat every situation with a peaceful mind. Whether I succeed or fail, I find peace and quiet at heart."

Nowadays, Guangzhou's New Year concert has become a joyful celebration, and plays an important part in people's cultural life. Yu Qiqiang, Deputy Director of the Provincial Cultural Bureau says: "With the reform and opening up, the cultural consumption level has improved a lot, and can even be compared with those of Beijing and Shanghai."

At the beginning of the reform and opening up, pop music became very popular in Guangdong. Music trends didn't only help Guangzhou cultivate a new image, but also enrich people's cultural lives. Shan Shilian, Deputy Director of Guangdong Cultural Industries Research Center says: "Cultural art broadens our horizon. We can view the world from different angles, as well as experience it. We can find that our character is well-built, and our life more meaningful."