US-China Relations Warm as American Ballet Theatre Performs in China After a Decade

On Thursday, the renowned American Ballet Theatre graced the stage in China, marking their first performance in the country after a ten-year hiatus. This event serves as an indicator of the potential thaw in the previously tense relations between the U.S. and China.

Originating from New York, the ballet troupe consists of 85 skilled dancers who performed the program titled “Classic Old and New” at the Shanghai Grand Theater. This program, featuring both contemporary and classical choreographic pieces, was directed by Susan Jaffe, the ensemble’s artistic director.

This recent visit signifies a rejuvenation of the cultural dialogue between the U.S. and China. In addition, the Philadelphia Orchestra will also be performing in China next week to commemorate their momentous 1973 visit to the country.

Upon completing their four-night stint in Shanghai, the American Ballet Theatre is slated to entertain audiences in Beijing with their critically acclaimed rendition of the classical romantic ballet, “Giselle.” This performance is scheduled at the National Center for the Performing Arts from Nov. 9 to Nov. 12.

Reflecting on the significance of this event, Jaffe, who took on the role of artistic director less than a year ago and last showcased her talent in China in 2000 as a leading dancer, commented, “Ballet, in essence, is a universal medium of communication, embodying emotions, beauty, form, and musicality. For the U.S. to share this artistic passion with China at this pivotal moment in cultural collaboration is deeply meaningful.”

It’s worth noting that these performances were initially planned for 2021 but had to be rescheduled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhang Xiaoding, the head of the Shanghai Grand Theatre, expressed enthusiasm about re-establishing ties with the American Ballet Theatre in the wake of the pandemic. Zhu Xiaoyi, a 43-year-old Shanghai local and ballet enthusiast, emphasized the importance of such U.S.-China cultural collaborations, expressing hope that such engagements could foster increased interactions across various sectors.

In the political sphere, the U.S. and China have been actively engaging, with anticipation building up for the upcoming meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Concurrently, diplomatic exchanges have been observed with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Washington and California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s warm reception in Beijing. Nevertheless, Wang Yi has cautioned that the road ahead might have its challenges.

The intricate fabric of U.S.-China relations, marred by disagreements on issues like trade, human rights, security, and global conflicts like Russia’s actions in Ukraine, continues to evolve. Despite this, as U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns remarked, both nations value mutual interactions at the people’s level.

It is noteworthy that the American Ballet Theatre’s last performance in China was in Beijing in March 2013. With its foundation laid in 1939, the company made history by becoming the first American dance troupe to perform in the former Soviet Union in 1960, reflecting President Dwight Eisenhower’s cultural outreach efforts.

Reported by Mistreanu from Taipei, Taiwan, with contributions from video producer Caroline Chen in Shanghai.

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More about US-China cultural exchange

• American Ballet Theatre’s Past Performances
• US-China Relations Overview
• Shanghai Grand Theater Upcoming Events
• Philadelphia Orchestra’s Historic 1973 Visit
• COVID-19 Impact on Cultural Events
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit Details
• Nicholas Burns on US-China Relations