Shanghai:Liu Huan, one of China's most celebrated musicians, died of illness in Shanghai on Friday morning at the age of 63.

According to NAMPA, the Beijing-based University of International Business and Economics announced his passing in an obituary on Saturday. Liu had been affiliated with the university, teaching music education and the history of Western music for over three decades until his retirement in 2023.

Born in north China's Tianjin Municipality in August 1963, Liu graduated with a degree in French literature from the University of International Relations in Beijing. He rose to fame in the 1980s, becoming known for his distinctive blend of Chinese and Western musical traditions.

Liu's most globally recognized performance was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, where he sang the theme song "You and Me" with British soprano Sarah Brightman, captivating an audience of billions worldwide.