En pointe, cultural openness in China (4)

As foreign performers pour in, Chinese dancers go abroad.

The NCPA Orchestra entertained audiences in Sydney to a rendition of "The Butterfly Lovers," China's "Romeo and Juliet," on Tuesday, three months after performing at the Bad Kissingen Music Festival in Germany.

Guangzhou Ballet went to Long Beach, California, to perform "Cinderella" in October.

Tiberghien, director of the Institute of Asian Research with the University of British Columbia, said China has found "a model that is full of variations, diversity and competitive processes."

In the tragic "Camellias," a narrow-minded duke disrupts his son's romance with a girl. Detrich believes Chinese audiences are more tolerant, and their inclusiveness has been a great reward for all his work directing the show.

"Vivien" wrote on Sina Weibo: "I saw Camellias last night. The story is heartrending. Together with Chopin's music and meaningful choreography, the 19th century France came back."

"Now they came to understand souls behind the movements," Detrich said. "They seldom applauded at an improper time."