Artists perform a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

URUMQI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened on Sunday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5.

The event brings together 24 art troupes, including groups from eight countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, the United States, Italy, and Cambodia, as well as 16 domestic teams from China. Performances cover dance dramas, operas, ballet and modern dances.

Urumqi serves as the main venue, with sub-venues in Ili, Hotan, Aksu, Karamay, Hami and Alaer.

Accompanying activities include the 2025 Xinjiang Silk Road Street Dance Show, community performances of village dance, an international dance carnival, and a traditional opera week.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the State Council Information Office, and the regional government of Xinjiang, the festival has run since 2008, attracting 138 art groups from more than 70 countries and regions during its previous six sessions and providing a key platform for cultural exchange under the Belt and Road Initiative. Enditem　

Chinese actress Tong Liya performs a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Artists perform a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Artists perform a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Artists perform a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Chinese actress Tong Liya performs a dance drama during the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival at the Xinjiang People's Hall in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025.

The 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival opened here on Sunday, featuring 52 performances over 17 days until Aug. 5. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)