Dancer Pays Tribute to Country's Reform, Opening up

Actors of the Shanghai Dance Theater tuned in the address delivered by President Xi Jinping at a gathering to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up on December 18, 2018.

Zhu Jiejing, a lead dancer at the theater, who is from the generation born in the 80s, said: "Numerous role models of the times and heroes have emerged constantly over the past 40 years, and China's culture and art causes have become increasingly prosperous.

"Our happy life today is attributed to the Party's leadership, which has guided us to overcome difficulties and forge ahead bravely."

She added, "The development of the country's culture and art has granted us more and better performance opportunities.

"As literary and art workers, we must inherit and carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture and follow the scientific theories, gather our strength by adhering to the correct public opinion, shape our soul with advanced culture, inspire each other with outstanding works, and continuously produce good works to hail the Party, motherland, people, and the heroes.

"We have lived through good times, so we must bear in mind our original intention. In addition to being an artist with faith, affection and responsibility, we are more obligated to tell young people to remember the sufferings of the past, so that they will cherish today's good life," said Zhu.

Zhu and fellow dancer Wang Jiajun will jointly premiere their version of The Eternal Wave on December 21, which is a story featuring Li Bai, a hero who made outstanding contributions to the founding of the New China, announced officials.

(Source: Whb.cn/ Translated and edited by Women of China)