"The Red Detachment Of Women" and the 2001 ballet piece, "Raise The Red Lantern," are both in the repertoire of the National Ballet Troupe. "Raise The Red Lantern" has been dubbed a new classic. With film director Zhang Yimou at the helm, it dazzles foreign audiences with both -Cheung-sum-wearing ballerinas and the show's overall visual extravagance.

Zhao Ruheng, former director of National Ballet Troupe, said, "Upon the establishment of the National Ballet Troupe, the late premier Zhou Enlai and other leaders of the country were thinking that China could communicate with other countries using the western art form. Today we have realized this goal. We have reached the point where, without words, we can communicate with foreign audiences using their familiar art form ballet. Our troupe performed "The Red Detachment Of Women" and "Raise The Red Lantern" in Italy. One Italian critic said "if "The Red Detachment Of Women" was a propaganda tool in the past, we now think it's a cultural treasure of China, while "Raise the Red Lantern" represents modern China". His comments mean that we have reached the goal of the troupe's establishment, to realize our nation's soft power."

Today, the National Ballet Troupe has more than 100 pieces in its repertoire.

Aside from the National Ballet Troupe other outfits, like the Liaoning Ballet Troupe, boast the renowned performance "Moon Reflected In Erquan," which is about the fate of a blind erhu player. The piece is also popular among Chinese ballet fans.

Artists are not only using ballet to tell Chinese stories, but also to revive the genre with more verve, such as the incorporation of folk dance or jazz. This can be seen in the Shanghai Ballet Troupe's latest piece, "In The Mood For Love." The dance drama dazzles audiences with the glamor of old Shanghai.

Since 2003, the China's capital city launched its first International Dance Festival. Over the years, troupes from around the world have performed in Beijing. World renowned dancers not only provide something for Chinese performers to learn, but also nurture more audience members' taste for dance.

Chinese choreographers also know that works grown from their own roots can radiate more influence and convey more regional culture.

Yang Liping's worldwide success, "Dynamic Yunnan," is such an example. The stage sensation presents a panorama of the life of people in that South China province. The show is an all-around spectacular, not only for Yang's signature "peacock" dance moves, but also in the light, sound, costumes, and reflections of the region's rich legends.

The show was a winner of the "Lotus Flower" award and is conducting a world tour this year.

Like the "peacock" implies, Chinese dance has risen up from its fledgling beginnings into an era where its feathers have been fully spread.

(CCTV September 29, 2009)