Rock 'n' roll diplomacy for Beijing's Carsick Cars

When it comes to major events that celebrate Chinese culture, organizers tend to go with the obvious: Terracotta Warriors? Check. Shaolin monks? Check. Ubiquitous red decorations? Check.

Yet the Nuit de Chine, an extravaganza in late January at Paris' Grand Palais, showcased a new flavor of Chinese soft power-hard rock.

Carsick Cars, one of Beijing's most successful indie bands, performed alongside luminaries such as Lang Lang and Wu Muye to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and France.