Dancing the Politics of Harmony: The Impact of Guangchang Wu

The social and political impact of guangchang wu have been far reaching. Within China, the practice is informing how cities are developed, and how policies are written. We argue in this chapter that guangchang wu serves the ideals of the PRC, and more specifically the Communist Party of China. Recent displays of guangchang wu in events such as the 70th anniversary celebrations of the PRC highlight the role that the dance form plays in delivering political messages through performance. At the same time, global attention has been given to guangchang wu, with the dance being taken up in locations around the world and becoming synonymous with Chinese diaspora. This chapter leads to further understanding of the hybrid space that guangchang wu occupies in relation to cultural meanings and practices.