A universal language

"What we have done is a bit like building a bridge. It may not be large or wide, but it has connected our hearts and made unforgettable memories," Liao says.

Even though the US version of Chinese Mermaid is the first classic the China National Theater for Children has authorized a non-Chinese organization to stage in its 68 years of existence, the theater has promoted youth cultural exchanges between China and the US for many years.

In 2015 for example, it invited the Missoula Children's Theater to participate in the 5th China Children's Theater Festival, during which Chinese and US students performed The Princess and the Pea, a classic children's play, in English. The following year, eight US students performed excerpts from Idiom Cube, a play based on Chinese idioms, in Chinese.

"I see theater as a universal language for children around the world. Since 2014, we have been invited to perform in 36 countries and regions, and our plays, most of which are rooted in traditional Chinese culture, have won the hearts of audiences," Feng says.

The president says the theater will continue to stage children's dramas promoting traditional Chinese values, and take them to audiences around the world, igniting the interest of youngsters in China and Chinese culture.

"The successful collaboration with the RMBT has also inspired us to collaborate more with overseas organizations specializing in theater or art education."

Contact the writer at yangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn