Auditions begin national square dancing contest

The nationwide auditions for a square dancing contest Colorful China kicked off on May 19 in the provinces of Shandong, Sichuang, Yunan, Hunan and Guizhou.

The contest aims to promote fitness.

So far, the competition has attracted more than 60,000 entries from around 2100 team across the country.

The auditions will end in mid-August and the finals will be staged on Nov 28 in South China's Hainan province, Cen Chuanli, the executive director of the organizing committee said.

Cen said that the event could be turned into an annual party, and that there are plans to send teams to Russia in the summer to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Gai Yikun, a famous classical dancer, is the chief judge for the contest.

Speaking about the event, Gai said: "I would like to see entries that feature local culture.

"The works can be modern dance or folk dance."