Oraya (Ailinjinna) is a young Chinese singer rising to the singing scene in China. With a strong vocal larynx and a sweet voice, she not only attracted the hearts of various popular age groups in her country but was also one of the stars who sang at the concerts of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.
In her first interview with an Arab website and newspaper, Aurée, the Chinese singer, revealed the power of singing in increasing rapprochement between peoples and understanding of cultures, noting that President Xi Jinping did not only present the Belt and Road Initiative as an idea for development interconnection, but rather made among its tools the soft interconnection represented by culture and art, including... It includes singing because it works to spread love and bring people together.
Oraya explained that Arab-Chinese cooperation is promising and progressing strongly politically, economically, and otherwise at all levels. Therefore, cooperation in the field of singing and the Arabs’ enjoyment of Chinese songs and music will positively impact the Egyptian and Arab public who have a taste for music and singing in various forms, Eastern and Western. We hope that Chinese songs will be number one in the world. Soon, the Arab public will hear about songs sung in a foreign language other than Arabic. The dialogue touched on many questions about singing in China, and here is the text of the dialogue.
Who discovered your singing talent, and did your family support you in your career?
When I was a few years old, my mother bought me a mixtape. It had many famous Chinese folk songs, and I kept singing them fluently after listening to them several times. I was influenced by the songs of President Xi Jinping’s wife when I was young and I loved them very much.
When I was eight years old, my mother discovered my talent for singing, as I used to sing the song of the famous Chinese singer Peng Liyuan, the First Lady of China, wife of President Xi Jinping. I loved her song “On the Field of hope”.
My mother encouraged me to sing with her and the family. We were waiting for the day of rest for my father, the orthopedic doctor, and the family would gather and sing with me our favorite patriotic songs, especially the song “My Motherland” This gave me the confidence and courage to sing at school with my friends, who loved my voice so much that my teachers told me that my voice Beautiful, and I should continue singing. They supported me by singing at school concerts, so everyone would hear me and encourage me. I became famous in school as an outstanding student and in the school hall as a singer with a beautiful voice. My family has continued to support me morally from my childhood until now.
Did Oraya participate in official parties during the stages of education?
Yes, I used to participate in school parties attended by local officials of the Chinese Communist Party at different levels of education.
Have you attended singing schools and what are your favorite songs?
I attended singing schools in addition to my university education at the Faculty of Law, and the first time I studied Amp trine songs, and Peng Liyuan songs, and my favorite song was a song sung by the First Lady of China, Peng Liyuan, entitled “Yimeng Mountain in Minor”.I love pop music and various types of singing, although I prefer classical.
Did you sing for the ruling party in China?
Yes, after I graduated from university, I participated in some concerts of the Chinese Communist Party, and my first musical work was singing for the Chinese Communist Party. I sang at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party in 2022, and the song is called Cheers for the Communist Party. She also participated in the celebration of the 126th anniversary of Party leader Mao Zedong in 2019.
Recently, your province, Shanxi, held a folk songs festival in which Arabs and Africans participated. Do you prefer to hold similar festivals?
China is interested in exchanging with Arab countries regarding culture and songs, and it is believed that the festival held last month at the Yulin Folk Song Exhibition in northern Shanxi under the title of mutual learning of international intangible cultural heritage, under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party Committee in Yulin City.
It is evidence of the Chinese interest in rapprochement with countries, not only at the official level, but also at the popular level through singing. Perhaps the participation of cultural diplomats from Egypt, Arab and African countries in the festival reflects the embodiment of friendships and the creation of a path to rapprochement through songs that people love and enhance their understanding and cultural exchange. It is part of The soft and strong interconnectedness of the Belt and Road Initiative. We hope for more Chinese-Arab music festivals.
Do you and your loved ones listen to Arabic songs?
One of the fruits of Chinese-Arab cultural exchange has always been singing and music. So listen to Arabic music and singing, especially by Arab stars such as Kawkab Al-Sharq, Umm Kulthum, who has a special voice that I love to hear, Amr Diab, Sherine, and Kazem Al-Saher. The choice of music and voice will attract you even if you are not fluent in the Arabic language, as the distinctive voice you love to listen to.
Can you sing in Arabic?
The Arabic language is very difficult. I can sing some words in Arabic, and I strive to learn the Arabic language so that I can sing in Chinese and speak with an Arab audience who loves Chinese singing and music.
Do you like Egypt and singing in it?
We Chinese love Egypt, as it is a country of civilization, culture and singing, and I hope to visit it because it is the gateway to world celebrities in art and singing.
We all see that music and singing are part of the soft bond of the Belt and Road Initiative. It brings people closer together. I hope that the Arabs will listen, sing and enjoy Chinese music and that I will sing for the Egyptian audience next to the pyramids.