China News Service London, 14 August: The Shanghai Ballet Company had its debut of modern ballet production of Jane Eyre in the London Coliseum on 14 August. This is the first time that Jane Eyre had been presented in its birth country in the form of ballet by Chinese dancers since the famous English novel was published.

      The modern ballet is a new interpretation and presentation of the literary work which breaks the boundary of the original work and sets free the imagination of the readers. Bertha Mason, who is an ambiguous figure in the original work, stands before the audience and tells the tragic story of love and hatred in strong dramatic tensions together with Rochester and Jane Eyre.

      After the premiere, the Chinese Embassy in the UK held a reception to celebrate the success of the performance. H.E. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming highlighted how the ballet unites the West and the East. He explained that last month the whole of Britain was on 'baby watch'. Indeed, people were thrilled by the arrival of His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. While at the same time, the ballet production of Jane Eyre is a multinational 'baby'. It is a marriage of English literature, German choreography, and French costumes and prop design. Then there is the original adaptation of the Shanghai Ballet Company and performance by Chinese dancers. Of course, there is also the music by British and German composers. As a result, this ballet work is in every sense a new 'baby' created by Chinese and Western artists.

      He then stated that China and Britain both have rich cultures and that both cultures are open and inclusive. Through mutual learning we have enriched our own thinking and art. These are examples of continuous expanding and deepening cultural exchanges between the two countries.

      He hoped that artists, cultural groups and agencies will enhance exchanges and cooperation and draw on each other's strengths. We will put on more high quality shows and exhibitions in each other's country. Through collaboration we should aim to jointly produce more works reflecting our common values and feelings. Joint efforts as such will contribute to greater understanding, trust and friendship between Chinese and British people. In turn that will create a more stable and healthy China-UK relationship.

      According to Mr. Zhang Zhe, head of the delegation, this is the first time that the Jane Eyre ballet was staged overseas as well as the first time for Shanghai Ballet to enter the European market by commercial operation.