CRI听力:Cuban dancing gaining popularity in China

The Cuban dance-style "Casino," known around the world as Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana, is popular in nightclubs in different parts of Beijing.

"I love it. I think it's an amazing dance. Salsa has Cuban dance LA style and the New York style, but I think Cuban Salsa is the best."

"I think they are super good teachers. I'm very glad. I met them from Cuba and I'm very happy."

A professional dancer from Cuba is among those helping the Cuban dance become even more widely known in Beijing.

Santos is the art director at the Sazon Cuban Dance Academy.

"Last year, we were trying [to find out] how Chinese people - if they like Cuban Salsa, if they like Cuban culture. So we realized that they really love it."

Santos says he has always been fascinated with Chinese culture, and is married to a Chinese woman.

He opened his Cuban dance Academy in the hope of bringing a bit of his native culture to China.

"How the relation [is] between Cuba and China is amazing. I think that my point here is try to show the Cuban culture to China, try to also show the Chinese people how is the Cuban culture here, so to show them through dancing."
 
Santos is among those who says the unique dance experience is a way for people to improve their coordination, have some fun while learning new skills, or just learn more about the Cuban culture.

Casino itself is meant to be an interplay between the masculine and feminine, with music meant to bind the two sides together in harmony.

Santos says he believes as ties between China and Cuba grow, so too will the interest in his dance club, as well as the understanding between his home country and his new chosen home.