Performing Arts Online

If online performing arts are to be developed on a larger scale, two problems must be addressed: One is the expression form, and the other is the profit model.

Zhu Kening, president of the China Association of Performing Arts

In 2021, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic pushed China’s performing arts industry to explore the advantages of the internet and expand its room for development while creating more opportunities for further progress. According to the Development Plan of the Cultural Industry during the 14th Five-year Plan Period, a new development paradigm for the performing arts industry that boosts both online and offline performances as well as live and recorded performances will be established.

VCG A still from the dance drama Li Bai produced by the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater. The China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater offered an online performance season from January 29 to mid-march, 2021. The theater brought many of its classic and original dance dramas such as Li Bai and Confucius as well as folk music concerts online. Videos and posts on overseas social media platforms reached 130 million people, and videos have been viewed more than 25 million times. Online performing arts have become a major tool for cultural exchange between China and foreign countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.