Marking the 20th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Zhuhai and Suwon, South Korea, recommended by the Zhuhai Foreign Affairs Office, the dance team of Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University’s (BNBU) Yuzhen Jinsheng Yayue Orchestra visited Suwon from 2 to 6 October 2026 to represent Zhuhai at the 63rd Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival’s Sister and Friendship Cities Day.
The team performed two works, Wangyue Poluomen and Yingxiu Anxiang Lai, showcasing the diversity of Chinese dance traditions. Drawing on Dunhuang dance, the first piece evoked cultural fusion along the ancient Silk Road, while the second highlighted the subtle elegance of classical Chinese dance through expressive sleeve movements.
The visit marked the team’s first overseas performance as an independent group, with students taking responsibility for rehearsals, costumes, props, logistics and on-site coordination alongside their performances.
Team leader Xiong Yutong, a student from the Faculty of Business and Management who had previously toured the United States with the orchestra, noted that performing outdoors presented new challenges for consistency, stage presence and teamwork. Zhao Ziying, a student from the Faculty of Science and Technology participating in an overseas cultural exchange for the first time, said performing before an audience of nearly 10,000 and receiving enthusiastic responses had boosted her confidence.
BNBU team with delegation from Romania
The team had previously joined the orchestra’s Jade Melody and Bronze Chime world tour in Boston and New York. This visit marked another step in BNBU students’ efforts to share Chinese traditional culture and foster international understanding through the performing arts.
From MPRO and Zhuhai Foreign Affairs Office
Photos by Catherine Qi, Yeh Chia-Ying, Zhou Yanrui
Editor: Cecilia Yu
