From Cultural Import to Flourishing Sport: A Comprehensive History of DanceSport in China (1864–2023)

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive historical overview of the development of DanceSport in China from 1864 to 2023. It delineates three distinct periods: foreign enlightenment (1864–1949), tumultuous exploration (1949–1986), and rapid flourishing (1986–2023). The introduction of DanceSport in treaty ports like Shanghai in the late nineteenth century laid the foundation. The standardization reforms of the 1920s accelerated its popularity among elites. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, DanceSport was transformed ideologically and spread from elites to the masses. The Cultural Revolution brought a total ban. With Reform and Opening up, ballroom dance resumed and began integrating with international standards as DanceSport. Since the 1990s, the competitive, artistic, educational and gender interaction aspects have rapidly grown through organizational development, talent cultivation, and innovation. The article analyzes the patterns, challenges and turning points across the historical progression. It provides a scholarly insight on the localized evolution of a global sport in China amidst broader political, social and cultural transformations.