PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Philadelphia Orchestra will enhance its ties with China through more in-person events to contribute to the development of US-China cultural exchanges, the orchestra's chief said.

"China is fundamentally important in terms of our international touring profile," Matias Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, said in a recent interview.

The orchestra, which is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has made "an incredible number of visits" to China, and has strengthened its connection with the people, audiences, and education and civic institutions in China, he said.

Despite the COVID challenges over the past three years, the orchestra was able to keep the relationship "not only going but developing "through a variety of digital collaborations, according to Tarnopolsky.