Last month in November 2025, Beijing Dance Academy buzzed with creative energy as 18 Chinese and French choreographers joined hands under the Canal Asia initiative 💃🕺.
Canal Asia launched after French President Emmanuel Macron’s April 2023 state visit to China aims to boost cultural ties through dance. This year, artists are gearing up for Macron’s upcoming visit to China in December, hoping to turn shared steps into lasting collaborations.
Renowned Chinese choreographer Li Ming wants to blend traditional Beijing opera moves with contemporary French dance, dreaming of a joint show in Paris and Shanghai. Meanwhile, French choreographer Claire Dubois is excited to explore Kathak rhythms from India and gamelan beats from Indonesia in her next piece.
Both sides highlight dance as a universal language that transcends borders and speaks to tech-savvy audiences. They envision mobile-friendly dance films, virtual workshops, and pop-up performances in South Asian and Southeast Asian cities like Mumbai, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City 🌏.
As December approaches, these young artists are ready to take the stage on a bigger platform, hoping their creative exchange inspires a new generation of movers and shakers across Asia and Europe.
Reference(s):
Canal Asia in Beijing – choreographing China-France cooperation
cgtn.com
