A group of expats are invited to recite Chinese articles during a dinner show sponsored by Wuxi National Hi-tech District on September 20 (WND)

Wuxi National Hi-tech District (WND) invited 165 expats from 25 countries to take part in a dinner show featuring the Chinese traditional instrument, the erhu, on September 20.

The erhu, a string bowed instrument sometimes known in the West as the Chinese violin, is becoming the cultural symbol of WND and Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Erhu master Deng Jiandong performs My Motherland with a symphony orchestra, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on September 20 (WND)

During the two-hour show, various singers, dancers and instrumental players presented the audience with a captivating performance. Some groups of expats living in WND also showed their artistic talents on the stage.

WND has been working to improve and promote its living and working environment to attract expats and help them integrate in China.

Ten cultural sites and companies have been chosen to host cultural activities for expats to learn Chinese culture and experience local art.

These include Meicun Erhu Cultural Park, Xueyan Opera Studio and Wuxi Yongming Nyushu Culture Research Center.

After years of development, WND is now home to over 1,600 foreign-funded industry projects worth almost $60 billion.