An international ballet week has opened at the China National Center for Performing Arts in central Beijing, highlighting international ballet stars from China National Ballet, the Royal Ballet, Opera National de Paris and Hamburg Ballet.

As one of the most important events of the First International Performance Season, the international ballet week will stage four performances of classic ballet, including 'Swan Lake' and 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Chinese traditional, folk and contemporary dance, including Tibetan and Mongolian dance, will also entertain theater-goers.

The nine-day event is co-sponsored by China National Ballet and the national theater, an egg-shaped futuristic building which officially opened last December.

The theater is currently staging its opening performance season until April 6. About 6,000 Chinese and overseas artists will give 180 performances.

(Xinhua News Agency January 26, 2008)