A Chinese Nutcracker in Washington

Conducted by Zhang Yi, the symphony orchestra of the National Ballet of China performed alongside star dancers, including Fang Mengying, Zhou Yue and Chang Sinuo in the lead roles.

Through the addition of paper fans, porcelain and firecrackers, the audience was given a glimpse of traditional Chinese culture.

According to Feng Ying, artistic director and head of the National Ballet of China, the shows in the US were significant as UNESCO inscribed the Spring Festival and its associated practices on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last year, in recognition of the festival's growing global appeal.