Dancers from 14 international and domestic teams light up the stage at the SCO Summer Dance Gala in Qingdao. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As a shining emblem of Qingdao's ambition to become the 2024-2025 tourism and cultural capital of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the 2025 SCO Summer Dance Gala opened with a bang on Aug 3.

Fourteen dance troupes from various international and domestic countries and provinces gathered to offer up a feast of rhythmic dance and cultural exchange.

"The SCO Summer Dance Gala has become a regional artistic showcase. We will continue to promote culture, build broader platforms, deepen civilizational exchanges, and allow audiences to enjoy more beautiful performances. Let the SCO shine more brilliantly than ever", said Sun Zhan, Party secretary of the culture and tourism bureau of Qingdao's Jiaozhou city.

The 2025 SCO Summer Dance Gala, lasting a week, will also feature activities such as youth dance art exchanges, dance Galas from Qingdao, and public dance performances, promising a plethora of excitement for the audience.

The glittering opening ceremony showcases Qingdao's vision of itself as the tourism and 2024-2025 cultural capital of the SCO. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]