Ballet B.C. is bringing a strong cultural message to the Vancouver-China Business Mission that Mayor Gregor Robertson is heading to the country from November 4 to 12.

Executive director Branislav Henselmann is joining the Vancouver Economic Commission on its trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong as it travels to the region to try to attract investment, deepen ties, and build relationships.

As the largest dance company in BC, and the only professional performing arts organization in this delegation, we are honoured to be invited to join Mayor Robertson and the VEC,” Henselmann said in a press statement. “We look forward to launching the cultural component of this mission with the National Ballet of China’s gala performance in Beijing. Meeting with key stakeholders of major performing arts organisations and festivals in China and Hong Kong during this mission will enable us to enhance our existing relationships and build new cultural and artistic partnerships in this very important market, ultimately building bridges between our countries.”

The arts company has already been looking to China to and building Asian audiences with its presentation, earlier this year, of the National Ballet of China in its first performances in Canada with Swan Lake.