A concert featuring artists from northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was held Tuesday night at the Chinese Cultural Center of Benin in Cotonou, the country's economic capital.

The concert, titled "Heavenly Melody: Echoes from the Grasslands," drew an audience of about 300 attendees, including Beninese government officials, foreign diplomats, and representatives from local cultural and educational institutions.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Cultural Center of Benin, the Network of International Culturalink Entities, and the Culture and Tourism Department of Inner Mongolia, the concert blended traditional Mongolian music with contemporary arrangements, offering a unique musical experience.

The Nair Band from Inner Mongolia delivered a dynamic performance that showcased ethnic heritage infused with modern flair. Their rendition of a signature song by internationally acclaimed Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo received an especially enthusiastic response, earning sustained applause from the audience.

"We are thrilled to perform in Benin for the first time and to receive such a warm welcome," said En He, lead singer of the band. "We hope this concert helps more local friends experience the unique charm of music from the Chinese grasslands."

"In Mongolian, 'Nair' means brotherhood, sincerity, and unity," said Zhang Wei, Chinese ambassador to Benin, in his speech. "We wish for everlasting friendship between China and Benin and continued progress in our strategic partnership."

The performance sparked strong interest and admiration for Chinese culture among Beninese audiences, said Herve Codjo, director of the Beninese Arts and Culture Development Agency, expressing hope for deeper cultural exchanges and strengthened cooperation between the two countries.