The first conference of the Music Education Alliance Across the Silk Road will be held at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing from May 5 to 7, says Yu Feng, president of the school.

Starting this year, the alliance will annually host concerts, workshops and exhibitions over three days.

More than 70 musicians and scholars from 16 countries, including India, Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey and Uzbekistan, will attend the inaugural conference along with their Chinese peers.

Top representatives from at least 10 music schools in the country are also expected to participate.

The Belt and Road Initiative announced by President Xi Jinping in 2013 aims to revitalize economic, cultural and other links along the ancient Silk Road between China and other parts of the world.

"The Silk Road, which linked traders, pilgrims, monks, nomads and others, was not only a trade route but was also important for the development of Chinese culture and civilization," Yu says.

"Music is an important bridge, too. We want to strengthen understanding and promote cultural exchanges among the countries through this conference," he adds.

Yu and his team visited many countries in recent years to get to know foreign musicians better. They also found that many were interested in Chinese music.

"We believe this event will promote such connections," Yu says.

The symphony and folk orchestras of the Central Conservatory of Music will present the opening concert at the event on May 5. Other recitals include a joint performance by musicians from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, and a concert marking 25 years of diplomatic relations between China and Azerbaijan.

The conservatory, a leading music school in China, was founded in 1950. It started research on musical connections among countries along the Silk Road in 2014.

Last year, it set up the Center for Music Communication, Development and Research.

The music conference will be held ahead of the first Belt and Road Forum in Beijing over May 14-15.