The Peking Opera "Red Cliff" is broadcast on giant screens at Times Square in New York, March 16, 2009. [Xinhua]

Cesbron also praised the practice that China is promoting its outstanding cultural traditions around the world. "As China is emerging as an Asian leader in the world in many areas, I am happy to see culture also being given importance to."

Noting that the Chinese culture is "fabulous and amazing," Cesbron said "there is so much to learn from it." Cultural outlets like the NCPA should not stand alone in Beijing, but to "use it statue" to help people around the world know more about China through the introduction of its cultures of various forms.

It was not only the people of other countries who were impressed, Siran Wang and Ruyi Shen, exchange students from China's Tianjin University of Fiannce and Economics, were among thousands of viewers who were moved by what was happening in Times Square.

"I was thrilled to hear the familiar music and the drumbeat of Peking Opera in a place like Times Square that is filled with commercials of big foreign companies," said Shen, adding it is such a good idea to introduce the Chinese culture into a multi-cultural place as in New York.

Wang, who said she was "astonished" by the scene that Peking Opera was shown on the NASDAQ huge screen, which is the best way to explain how wonderful this world is -- an opera, with a history of hundreds of years from an ancient old civilization, is settling down on the screen of a modern finance giant here in New York."