The 2025 Beijing-Taiwan Youth Street Dance Exchange, themed "Dazzling Dance Across the Strait: Embracing the Future", was launched at Beijing International Studies University (BISU) on July 22.

More than 100 young dancers from both sides of the Strait gathered to show their talent, enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendships through the street dance exchange competition organized by Beijing's Chaoyang district.

Zheng Chengjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and vice-president of the university, attended the event.

Zheng Chengjun delivers an opening speech for the event.

In his opening speech, Zheng welcomed the Taiwan youth to Beijing and spoke about BISU's background and its focus on cultural exchange. He emphasized the university's commitment to cross-Strait exchanges, creating platforms for young people to engage in professional learning and career development, and he invited more youth from Taiwan to apply to study at BISU.

Zheng said that the street dance exchange has built a new bridge for Beijing and Taiwan youth, as street dance serves as a language of young people and an expression of passion, transcending time and space.

He expressed his hope that the young participants would feel each other's enthusiasm through dance and experience a connection of hearts, ensuring that the dreams of youth continue to flourish.

A representative of the Taiwan youth spoke of how the street dance experiences in Beijing and Taiwan left a lasting impression and highlighted the importance of unity among the four elements and spirit of street dance: Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun.

Beijing youth representative Shi Xinran said that street dance is the language of young people. Through the contestants' preparation process, she sensed the shared dedication to art and passion for youth. She hoped that this connection would promote the cultural connection and joint celebration of Chinese culture among compatriots across the Strait.

The opening ceremony presented a visual feast by street dance enthusiasts from Beijing and Taiwan. The opening dance, "New Life in Old-Style Street", combined traditional Chinese imagery with modern rhythms and earned rounds of applause.

Young dancers from Beijing and Taiwan perform "New Life in Old-Style Street".

A dance team from Taiwan presented "Island Dance Rhythm", showing their love and expertise in street dance culture. Taiwan youth rap artists added more street culture elements with their performance of "Make It Right" and "I Know".

The BISU street dance club performed "How You Like That", demonstrating their unique understanding and personal style in street dance culture.

Subsequently, young dancers from both sides took to the stage for a dance battle, performing "Dancing Together for Glory" and "Dance Unites Chinese Hearts", symbolizing the spirit of competition and exchange, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

Young dancers from Beijing and Taiwan take to the stage for a dance battle.

The street dance exchange competition included preliminary rounds, group competitions, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, with cross-Strait participants teaming up in the semi-finals to build rapport and deepen friendships, allowing their passion for street dance to shine on the stage.

Following on the street dance exchange competition, the "Dazzling Street Dance, Touring Beijing, and Exploring Chaoyang" activity will be held. Visits will be organized for Taiwan youth to iconic locations like the "Bird's Nest", "Water Cube", Olympic Towers, Pop Mart City Park, SOLANA Blue Harbor, Sanlitun shopping area, and renowned street dance institutions in Chaoyang district.

These visits aim to offer a close-up experience of the unique charm of the fusion between Beijing's traditional culture and modern fashion, providing insights into the development opportunities in Chaoyang district.