Dancers thank Japan through video

Zhu Jiejing and Wang Jiajun, principal dancers at the Shanghai Dance Theatre, made a short video expressing their support for people affected by novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak in Japan, as a gratitude for Japanese dancers' support for China.

The video was made and released on Feb 24 by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the dance company.

The three-minute video shows mutual visits of Chinese and Japanese dancers as well as the large amount of medical supplies donated by people from all walks of life in Japan.

Earlier this month, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in Japan, the Matsuyama Ballet Troupe, made a video of encouragement for China by singing in Chinese the National Anthem of China, and calling out, "I love China. Be strong, Wuhan. Be strong, China. Be strong, all humans!"

"Now that the novel coronavirus breakout has become a disaster faced by not only China and Japan, but even people all over the world, everyone has to be brave, strong and fearless, protecting the earth, our shared home," Zhu said in the video.

She said: "I hope our heartful wish could bring warmth and confidence to people in Japan. Standing side by side, we shall overcome the hardship and epidemic together. I believe the spring blossom will come along with hope, and that will be the time for us to meet again more joyfully than ever!"

Zhu is the lead star in The Crested Ibises, a dance drama from the Shanghai Dance Theatre, whose troupe toured Japan in 2014, 2015 and 2017, giving more than a hundred performances.

Wang, who played the male lead in The Crested Ibises, said in the video: "The epidemic has locked us at home, but our hearts stay together. Your encouragement has brought us warmth and your generous donation brought lots of strength. I strongly believe the epidemic will soon be over, the sky will clear up and the crested ibises will again fly high in the blue sky."

The friendship between ballet dancers of the two countries goes back to the 1950s, when the Japanese ballet made a production of modern Chinese ballet, The White-Haired Girl.

Its lead dancer Morishita Yoko is now director of the ballet.

In 2017, the company made its 15th tour to China, presenting the White-Haired Girl at Shanghai Grand Theatre. Zhu went up the stage at curtain call, offering a bouquet to Morishita, who was 68, and performed the lead role in the show.

"I was greatly moved by her lifelong dedication to dance, and the great efforts she made to become an international ballet star," Zhu said.

Not only dancers, but also the ordinary Japanese people showed great familiarity and love for Chinese culture, Zhu said, recalling the exchanges and communication with public schools and institutions in Japan.

"I believe in the unlimited power of dance and body language, and we could express so much, what's on our mind, through a simple hug, a handshake, and a wave (of the hand)."

Since the outbreak of novel coronavirus epidemic in January, the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has received blessings in various forms from more than 20 Japanese societies, institutions and individuals, encouraging people in Wuhan, Hubei province, and China to fight against the virus.

In a video shot in his home, Tomiichi Murayama, 96, former Japanese prime minister, wrote "Wuhan Jiayou (stay strong)" in Chinese calligraphy, and shouted out the message in solidarity with the Chinese.

Local governments in Japan have started to provide targeted support to their Chinese sister cities.

By Feb 18, Japan's governments and people had donated over 6 million masks and medical equipment to China.

China donated novel coronavirus test kits to Japan on learning that the country－which is also affected by novel coronavirus spread－did not have enough test kits, the Chinese embassy's spokesperson said on Feb 20.