Observers expect Chinese Premier¹ Li Keqiang's visit to Cuba is going to increase cultural ties between the countries, where here in China, Cuban salsa dancing already happens to be quite popular.

观察人士认为，中国总理李克强访问古巴将增加两国之间的文化联系，而在中国，古巴萨尔萨舞已经很受国人欢迎。

 

The Cuban dance-style "Casino," known around the world as Cuban-style salsa or Salsa Cubana, is popular in nightclubs in different parts of Beijing.

 

"I love it. I think it's an amazing dance. Salsa has Cuban dance LA style and the New York style, but I think Cuban Salsa is the best."

 

"I think they are super good teachers. I'm very glad. I met them from Cuba and I'm very happy."

 

A professional dancer from Cuba is among those helping² the Cuban dance become even more widely known in Beijing.

 

Santos is the art director at the Sazon Cuban Dance Academy.

 

"Last year, we were trying [to find out] how Chinese people - if they like Cuban Salsa, if they like Cuban culture. So we realized that they really love it."

 

Santos says he has always been fascinated with Chinese culture, and is married to a Chinese woman.

 

He opened his Cuban dance Academy in the hope of bringing a bit of his native culture to China.

 

"How the relation [is] between Cuba and China is amazing. I think that my point here is try to show the Cuban culture to China, try to also show the Chinese people how is the Cuban culture here, so to show them through dancing."

 

Santos is among those who says the unique dance experience is a way for people to improve their coordination³, have some fun while learning new skills, or just learn more about the Cuban culture.

 

Casino itself is meant to be an interplay between the masculine and feminine, with music meant to bind⁴ the two sides together in harmony.

 

Santos says he believes as ties between China and Cuba grow, so too will the interest in his dance club, as well as the understanding between his home country and his new chosen home.

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