Five Chinese theater productions are being staged at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, as part of a special program called "China Focus". It aims to promote Chinese theater productions at the world's biggest art festival.

Zhang Qian is a well-know Chinese explorer equal to Columbus in the West. He opened up the ancient Silk Road on a mission of Han Dynasty to seek an alliance with neighbouring countries. The production "A LIFE ON THE SILK ROAD" tells the story of his first journey to the western regions spanning thirteen years.

ZHAO MIAO DIRECTOR, "A LIFE ON THE SILK ROAD" "To create this show, we went to different places to do the research, such as Dunhuang, Xi'an and the whole Shaanxi Province. These places are along the old silk road where Zhang Qian used to go. We found out that there are many untold stories. Zhang Qian had lots of new thoughts after being captured by the Xiongnu. For example, he hopes that all the minorities in the Western Regions should be united to confront war."

The work is co-produced by Chinese and French artists. It interprets the significance and influence of the silk road with a diversified cultural perspective.

AMY McNEESE-MECHAN COUNCILLOR, CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL "I just enjoyed the fantastic performance here with the Journey of the Silk Road because it is so visual so physical. It communicates without language. So I think it is the attraction and you could see people really enjoyed it."

The work is one of the highlights of China Focus- a collective project of excellent Chinese theatre productions at Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

ZHANG HE EDINBURGH "It is the second year that Chinese shows have come to Edinburgh Fringe under the China Focus campaign. The organizer hopes it will take the promotion of Chinese heritage and culture to the next level."

This year's China Focus programme includes traditional Chinese opera, physical theater, dance, and children's performance. They reinterpret China's traditional stories to western audience in a creative and innovative way.

JIM ORR FORMER COUNCILLOR, CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL "I think what people really like from China or somewhere else is to be surprised. Something really original. Something really universal. Some challenging things which make people think- Wow, these guys from China, they got these amazing perspective on life and on art. So yeah, to be surprised, really creative and original are also really welcomed here."

It might be difficult to stand out from over 3,500 shows during the Edinburgh Fringe, but the China Focus programme will continue its growth as a mainstay of Chinese cultural showcase. Zhang He, CGTN, Edinburgh.