Street Dance Goes Chinese Style: Chinese music, ethnic dance moves in street dance show

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Street dance is an urban art form that was born in the United States. But Chinese dancers have been combining this style with local elements since the 1980s. From the music and beat to the dance moves, Chinese elements are heavily featured on the stage in "Street Dance of China". Take a look.

"Man Ought to be Strong" is a song by Kung Fu star Jackie Chan that almost every person from China knows. Few, however, imagine it being used for street dancing.

So when dancer Yang Wenhao pops to the beat of the remixed version of the song on stage, it sends the audience to a frenzy. And Yang is not the only dancer using Chinese music in performances.

Hip hop dancer Chen Zhengyi combines his moves with "Heroes' Song" by renowned singer Liu Huan.

CHEN ZHENGYI HIP HOP DANCER, "STREET DANCE OF CHINA" "A friend of mine made the remixed version of the song, so I use it in my performance and it turned out great."

And "Uneasy", a song by folk singer Gong Linna that took Chinese social networks by storm years ago, served as the track for another contestant's jazz dancing. However, it's not just music. Ethnic Chinese cultural elements also make an appearance.

One contestant from the Wa ethnic group in Southwest China's Yunnan Province blended modern, urban dance with the traditional dance style of his people.

And stage props such as sticks and drums, which are from other traditional art forms, are also featured in different dance styles.

These Chinese elements may have surprised the audience, but for the dancers, they have influenced their dance style since the beginning.

LU WEI DIRECTOR, "STREET DANCE OF CHINA" "When street dance was first introduced to China, it definitely would borrow foreign street dance elements, such as music and dance styles. But after 30 years of development, Chinese street dance has developed its own local characteristics by introducing our own traditions and culture."