Under the baton of Japanese conductor Michiyoshi Inoue, Chinese tenor Shi Yijie, Chinese mezzo-soprano Zhu Huiling, Japanese baritone Takaoki Onishi and Japanese soprano Eri Takahashi will join in the concert to perform the choral finale.

From Jan 6 to Feb 4, the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, which has named Japan as its guest country of honor, will see more than 700 artists from 11 countries gather in the capital.

"In 2020, the world will celebrate Beethoven's 250th birthday, and Symphony No 9 is a work that is important to people all over the world," says Tan Ziqiang, director of special events at the China Performing Arts Agency, the organizer of the festival. "We have Chinese and Japanese artists performing together in a concert that pays tribute to the great composer, celebrates friendship and welcomes in the new year."