Jiangzhou drumming, an ancient folk music from North China's Shanxi province, opened the awards ceremony of the 2015 Laureus Worlds Sports Awards in Shanghai on April 15.
The audience burst into applause as the striking drum music finished. The Jiangzhou music gave the sports event a touch of Chinese style.
Shanxi is hailed as a cradle of Chinese drumming. Jiangzhou drum music originated in the Qin Dynasty (221-207BC) and peaked during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
In 2006, the folk music was named a national intangible cultural heritage. Many Jiangzhou drum troupes perform around the country.
