"We've been working with Japanese artists for a long time. But there is a particular focus this year," says Lai Huihui, the festival's program director. "It's natural, as we've found more and more in common with them.

"We're both oriental civilizations that value interpersonal relations above personal conditions - the philosophies are similar. We've both gone through stages when Western influences come into conflict with our own identity.

"So it's only natural that we both are more accepting and come to be inspired by what the other brings."

Photo Provided to China Daily

For the first time in the festival's history, a section called "social reality" has been put together. Nine of the country's emerging directors will stage plays that reflect their takes on society.

They will focus on the lives of migrant workers, the country's environmental conditions and big-city divides, such as residents' living standards.

"My very distinct feeling this year is that artists have gone out of their own world and out of their way to take into account the bigger environment, the society they're in," Lai says. "They're taking on more social responsibility."

The festival also has puppet performances for children, dance workshops aimed at the untrained as well as traditional Chinese opera adaptations lined up for the coming weeks.

IF YOU GO

For more information, visit http://penghaotheatre.com.

Penghao Theater, 5 Dongmianhua Hutong, Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6400-6452.

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