中文
By Xia Fangting
A duet from the Chinese classical dance drama "If Only Life Were as Wonderful as First Sight" captivated audiences at the award ceremony of the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition in Beijing on Dec. 20, offering an evocative showcase of the country's cultural heritage through the choreography.
The two dancers performed with the grace and emotional depth characteristic of Chinese classical dance. Their demonstration used movement to create a cross-cultural dialogue, intended to serve as a bridge of understanding between China and other nations.
Inspired by the life of Nalan Xingde, a renowned poet of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the dance drama portrays his dedication to his ideals and his deep sense of national and familial duty.
Dancers Zhang Junhao and Chu Yujing perform a duet from the Chinese classical dance drama "If Only Life Were as Wonderful as First Sight" at the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition Award Ceremony in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition]
"Dance is a wordless art, but at the same time, the language of dance is the universal bond of human emotion," said Zhang Junhao, who played Nalan.
Zhang noted that Chinese classical dance, with its distinctive rhythm and philosophical depth, possesses a unique power to present both the heritage and contemporary vitality of Chinese culture.
Through the grace and strength of their movements, he said, dancers "communicate the profound and enchanting charm of Chinese culture in a multidimensional way."
Chu Yujing, who played the role of Nalan's wife, Lu, said dancers serve as cultural transmitters for foreign audiences. She said the flourishing of dance, much like the global spread of short videos, can bring people closer together.
"Dancers, like cultural envoys, carry Chinese stories and culture, conveying Chinese poetry and spirit to the world through body movement," she added.
Drawing on the title of the dance drama — a line from one of Nalan's poems — Chu shared a message for the audience. "Today, we are all meeting for the first time, and this performance is also our 'first encounter' with international friends in the audience," Chu said. "I hope we can all remember the beauty of this first encounter and, when thinking of today, recall Nalan Xingde's line."
Dancers Zhang Junhao and Chu Yujing perform a duet from the Chinese classical dance drama "If Only Life Were as Wonderful as First Sight" during the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition Award Ceremony in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the Seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition]
The "My China Story" International Short Video Competition, launched in 2018, is an annual event sponsored by China International Communications Group and organized by Xufang International Media. The competition is designed to provide a platform for international creators to produce short videos about China, encouraging global exchange and authentic storytelling.
Dancers Zhang Junhao (left) and Chu Yujing acknowledge the audience after their performance at the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition Award Ceremony in Beijing, Dec. 20, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the seventh "My China Story" International Short Video Competition]
