They don't use Western music formats like harmony, counterpoint, ABA sequences, or change keys very often, because they can't move the instruments' bridges. It's a polished music that they feel proud of that they feel represents them. In order to do that, they cleaned it up. They say, we have the raw materials from our regions. But Chinese music is much more folk music.
Foreigners say in past Chinese music is backwards and has no class or flavor.
This time China wants to give the West a different taste. This different taste is what many Chinese see as a chance to show off Chinese music to Americans. In our group we have a lot of American born Chinese students. It's very important to them to see real Chinese musicians coming to the Bay Area. Chinese Ethnomusicologist Liu Hong, Ph.D. 38, thinks it will be a surprise to the American people.