fendrock, Three years ago, I, as a Chinese, would almost incline to your view. I frequented the theatre for the overseas ballet companies, but never did I sit once in the theatre, watching my own companies' performances, until three years ago. I remember clearly that night it was La Sylphide by National Ballet of China. The performance by no means lost out to most of the overseas companies ever visiting China, neither technically nor artistically. That night became the turning point of my passion for the Chinese ballet companies. I admit that our Chinese dancers still need to improve themselves in lots of aspects, esp the inner side. The other problem we are facing is China failed to produce creative ballet choregraphers.
I do not agree with you on the preconditions of "good ballet". If so, what do you think of ballet in Cuba? Here in China, we have a comparatively young history but we have great potential, full of vitality and enthusiasm. Isn't that promising enough? What makes you so repelling?
True that nowadays our Chinese dancers pay too much attention to the ballet competition, which I am not for it. Ballet is not meant for the dancers to compete, but to perform; it is not meant to stimulate the audience but make them enjoy. However I fully understand their feeling, that is to be recognized by the western world through the competition.
frendrock, if you have chance, do have a ballet trip to China as Jeannie did. I think you will have a different view then.