AFP
BEIJING
Chinese authorities are promoting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum as another step into the global limelight, but they turned to an American composer when it came to the mood music for Sunday’s events.
At multiple sessions of the APEC CEO Summit - a gathering of business leaders and politicians that precedes the main event - participants marched on stage to the sound of “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams.
Williams, the composer of the theme music to “Star Wars”, “Superman”, “Jaws” and many other Hollywood films, originally penned the anthem for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
The “heroes” serenaded to their places on the dais over the course of the day included Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, embattled Hong Kong chief executive Leung Chun-ying, and Rio Tinto CEO Sam Walsh.
Delegate Robert Prieto, of engineering and construction company Fluor, was initially surprised at the choice.
“I would have expected something, if you will, a little more classical Chinese-sounding,” he said.
“I think it was good the first couple of times. After you hear it enough times, you know, okay, we got it.”
A summit staffer said the music was chosen to add a “magnificent effect” to the occasion.
Rose Yan, who works for the event’s host committee, said: “The music has to match the atmosphere of the summit.”