Forty pairs of students from world renowned universities dance at the opening of the Elite Gathering Night of the China Ballroom Dance Federation in Xiamen, Fujian province on April 3. [Photo from WeChat account CBDF_CN]

Forty pairs of students from world renowned universities danced at the opening of the Elite Gathering Night in Xiamen, Fujian province on April 3, local media reported.

Teams consisting of one man and one woman from universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, Moscow State, Peking, Tsinghua and Fudan suited up and put on their happy faces as they offered up their best waltz performances to intrigued audiences. The dance set the mood for the night and was a perfect coming-of-age celebration for the students.

"I hope Chinese dancers can get a taste of authentic European culture and traditions through this coming-of-age ceremony," said Wang Yonggang, vice president of the China Ballroom Dance Federation (CBDF).

Marissa Pioso from Harvard said the night was "impressive and unique", and she was delighted to perform with so many talented dancers. Her partner Danny Vazquez described dancing as "his friend" and said he had made the most of his time in Xiamen by visiting local enterprises and landmarks and exchanging ideas with his Chinese partners.

The cultural activities Vazquez mentioned, which were organized by CBDF and the Xiamen local government, invited the youngsters to visit local scenic areas and company flagships – such as Gulangyu Island and Anta Sports – to help them better understand the city.

"If dance has bridged the gap between Chinese and foreign students, cultural exchange has drawn us even closer," said Zhang Xiaohan after the night was over. Zhang is a student from Tsinghua University.

In addition to the opening show, the night also saw veteran dancers sharing their skills and international singers performing enchanting melodies.

The night was an annual celebration of CBDF, and this year was the first time it has been held in Xiamen. The local Dynasty Center was also chosen by the organization as its only annual examination center outside Beijing.

Xiamen has been striving to create an inclusive and open climate. The Elite Gathering Night was a reflection of the city's efforts in using dance to forge a stronger bond with the rest of the world.