For decades, China's Wa ethnic minority in southwestern Yunnan Province used to be perceived as "behind the times." But that's no longer the case. One Wa ethnic delegate to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has been working hard to reflect the new, better life of the Wa people through traditional dance. Tao Yuan has the story.

 

She's been called a black pearl. Yang Na belongs to China's Wa ethnic minority, one of 55 ethnic minorities in China that predominately live in southern Yunnan Province.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "Many in our audience think we are Indian or Brazilian. Some even approach our dancers to ask if they can fake a foreigner's role. It makes me so angry."

 

Yang Na wants to bring the Wa dance out of the Wa mountains. The region is far from the heartland of China, on the border with Myanmar. For decades, these tribal villages were deemed to be a rural backwater. Yang Na remembers when she and her father used to walk these roads. Yang's father was a local party official who led efforts to pave the first roads that connected the Wa mountains to the rest of the country. He was killed by a falling tree while working towards achieving that dream.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "The last thing he did was to serve his people. I believe my father died without any regret."

 

Many Wa people still live below the poverty line. But everywhere you look, there's development. Yang Na says she's continuing her father's tradition. Her way is through art.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "For us Wa people, music and dance isn't just entertainment. We have our language, but no script. Music is our script. It carries our history."

 

Yang Na is also making history. She has led her dance troupe to China's National Centre for the Performing Arts, the country's most prestigious stage. Her ancestors' dance, now reflects current times.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "Stop stop. I think it's not enough. I want to see your passion through your facial expression and body language - the passion for this new, better life."

 

She's certainly excited about the change. But as the only ethnic Wa delegate at the 19th National Congress of the CPC, Yang Na wants more for her hometown.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "This is a unique region. In order to better develop it, it needs more attention, even special policies where necessary."

 

Yang Na is also determined to preserve her people's traditions. She continues to draw inspiration from her hometown, and her people.

 

YANG NA, DELEGATE 19TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CPC "The thought of my hometown always brings me to tears. And our culture - now I finally understand my grandmother's words - music and dance make your heart fly!"

 

TAO YUAN XIMENG COUNTY, YUNNAN PROVINCE The Wa Mountains are certainly changing. But despite modern development, the age-old culture here does remain incredibly resilient. This quite border town lights up when the locals dance and sing. Yang Na, and increasing number of younger generation Wa people are determined to keep it that way. Tao Yuan, CGTN, Ximeng County, in Yunnan Province.