Beijing will host the Beijing International Dancesport Open, a World Dancesport Federation event, for five consecutive years.

The first edition was held at the Ditan Gymnasium on Sept 22-23 with more than 150 pairs from more than 50 countries and regions and about 500 from China competing in events including the WDSF World Championship Youth Latin, WDSF World Dancesport Championship Show Dance Standard, WDSF GS Standard and also several Chinese Dancesport Federation competitions.

The competition, with the aim of promoting exchanges between foreign and Chinese dancesport enthusiasts, will continue to be held in the Dongcheng district of Beijing until 2017 as part of the government's effort to build up an international reputation for the district.

"Different from other athletic sports, dancesport is a display of elegance," said Zhang Yuling, general manager of one of the event's organizers, the Beijing Oriental Cultural Assets Operation Corporation.

"The level of dancesport in our country is still some way behind other nations. With an increasing number of dancing events being held in China, Chinese dancers will get more opportunities to learn from their foreign peers, which will help improve dancesport in China," she said.

Dancing activities were also brought into communities and schools in the Dongchen district to popularize the sport.

tangzhe@chinadaily.com.cn