Core Viewpoint - The establishment of the Lebanese National Higher Music Institute, funded by China, symbolizes the importance of cultural exchange and friendship between China and Lebanon [1][5]. Group 1: Project Overview - The project is located in Beirut and is the first complete aid project from the Chinese government to Lebanon, covering an area of approximately 26,588 square meters [5]. - Key facilities include a concert hall with a capacity of 1,200 and a comprehensive teaching building for the music institute, which includes a smaller concert hall with 350 seats [5]. - The project is designed with elements inspired by the ocean, bubbles, beaches, and music, embodying the concept of "The Symphony of Music and the Sea" [5]. - As of now, the project is approximately 82% complete, having started in 2020, but is currently undergoing reassessment due to the impacts of war [5]. Group 2: Cultural Significance - The project is seen as a cultural bond that strengthens the relationship between China and Lebanon, enhancing Lebanon's cultural education infrastructure and promoting mutual understanding [5]. - The Lebanese government places high importance on cultural arts, and the music institute is expected to receive more funding to support music diplomacy and economic activities [4]. - The director, Heba Kawas, emphasizes that music is a universal language and expresses the desire for future collaborations, including Chinese language education and Peking opera studies [7]. Group 3: Leadership and Vision - Heba Kawas, a prominent conductor and composer, has been leading the music institute since 2020, focusing on its recovery and development [4]. - She highlights the need for talent, education, patience, and resilience in music, noting that losing a musician could take decades to replace [4]. - The project is viewed as a means to create a more positive and approachable image for Lebanon during its ongoing reconstruction [4].