Nations linked by dance (2)

"Of the foreign students in our school, we pay special attention to students from Trinidad. We have a feeling of kinship with them because of our founder Dai Ailian. We hope they will bring the seeds of Chinese dance to Dai's birthplace," Zhang said.

After studying modern dance at the academy for 10 months, Anya Elizabeth Reyes, from Cunupia, a town in central Trinidad, expressed a desire to pass on what she has learned.

"I'll go back to dance schools in my country to share what I learned from China, to communicate with people in my country about Chinese dance," the 20-year-old said.

After receiving a scholarship from the Dai Ailian Foundation, Reyes decided to go first to China instead of beginning her first year as a visual arts major at a university in Trinidad. She had been studying dance at different dance schools from the time she was 5 years old.

"We always incorporate different styles of dance, like Indian dance and African dance. But we don't have Chinese dance, so it's perfect for me to learn it in China," Reyes said.

Reyes has won some dance prizes in China. Now she is practicing Tibetan dance - a Chinese folk dance - to prepare for the final round of a national talent competition among foreign students in China.

"I have had such a great experience here. China's history and culture fascinate me. And I have had the chance to see the best of Chinese dances. Quite amazing! " Reyes said.

Zhang, the director of the academy's foreign cooperation and exchange center, visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2011. He said he was impressed by the local carnival parade that featured an African dance to beating drums.

"Everyone in the parade was excited by the drum beats, " Zhang said.

The Beijing Dance Academy and Dai Ailian Foundation are thinking about introducing Trinidadian dance to China. And they are finding opportunities to put Chinese folk dances on stage in Trinidad.

"The two countries have a dance connection. We should and are obliged to increase exchanges to pay tribute to Dai, the legendary dancer," Zhang said.