"Kukai is an incomparably great person," Yue said. "His compassion, wisdom, and determination to save all beings are qualities that can touch the heart of audiences worldwide, whether they are from China, Japan, or the West. Compassion is something that exists within everyone and is especially important in a time when disputes, doubts, and conflicts are widespread. Music has the power to awaken this compassion."

Kukai was performed last year by the China Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Lanzhou Grand Theater in Gansu province on Aug 1, in collaboration with the Lanzhou Concert Hall Chorus. The team then performed the piece in Japan on Aug 18 and 19, at the Kyoto Concert Hall and the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall.