Chinese dance show awes US audiences with roots in ancient culture

A Chinese theatrical dance show depicting the beauty of an ancient landscape scroll painting won acclaim from New York audiences as the show was staged at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts from Friday to Sunday.  

Titled "A Tapestry of a Legendary Land," the show previously gained widespread popularity across the country after parts of the show were staged during the 2022 Spring Festival Gala, quickly making it a hit. 

The dances were inspired by a painting from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1126) depicting a panoramic view of mountains and rivers. The millinium-old masterpiece is celebrated as a hallmark of blue-green landscape painting, a style that uses mineral-based pigments like malachite (green) and azurite (blue) to create bold, vibrant colors.

In the show, a cultural relic researcher who, while immersed in studying this nearly 12-meter-long scroll, travels through centuries to connect with the artist and understand how the masterpiece was created.

New York audiences were stunned by the skillful performance and the artistic production, as well as the significant cultural meaning that the show intends to deliver.

"[The] performers were incredible, the music was great, and, you know, it's artistic interpretation," said an audience member.

I just love the way how the painting came to life and how the process really just showcases their beautiful culture," said another attendee at the performance.

The cast and crew of the dance show expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to present such an intimate peek into Chinese culture for U.S. audiences.

"The enthusiastic responses from the New York audience went beyond my expectations, and when we were answering the curtain call, I heard their cheering becoming louder and louder. So, I was really lucky and really proud to be able to come to New York and to have the opportunity to showcase Chinese culture," said Zhang Han, one of the leading actors.

"A larger audience came to watch the dance show than we had expected. So, presenting the show in the United States, I think, meets the anticipation of both sides," said Han Zhen, the chief choreographer.

Chinese dance show awes US audiences with roots in ancient culture

China attaches great importance to the development of China-Singapore relations, and is willing to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and enhance people-to-people exchanges with Singapore, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing.

Noting that over the past year, under the strategic guidance of leaders of the two countries and joint efforts of both sides, the all-round high-quality and future-oriented partnership between China and Singapore has maintained a good momentum, Wang urged the two countries to continue to enhance strategic communication, increase mutual trust, jointly address the ever-emerging global challenges at present, and safeguard the overall situation of regional peace and stability.

Wang said that maintaining the security of global industrial and supply chains and the smooth flow of maritime navigation is in the common interests of the international community, and China is willing to continue to make efforts to this end.

Noting that Singapore is an important ASEAN member and will assume ASEAN's rotating presidency next year, Wang said China expects the Singaporean side to continue playing an active role in promoting China-ASEAN cooperation.

Balakrishnan said Singapore highly values its relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, and firmly opposes "Taiwan independence."

Singapore is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, promote practical cooperation in various fields, carry out key cooperation projects of both sides, and promote regional connectivity, he said.

Singapore is ready to promote greater progress in ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership, support the Global Development Initiative, and uphold multilateralism and free trade, and is willing to work with China to make joint efforts in promoting world peace, development and prosperity, he added.

China ready to promote practical cooperation with Singapore: Chinese FM