Les jeunes acrobates chinois pratique au centre de formation de la troupe acrobatique de soldat du Département politique de la région militaire de Guangzhou en Gua
Young Chinese acrobats practice at the training center of the Soldier Acrobatic Troupe of the Political Department of Guangzhou Military Region in Guangzhou city, south Chinas Guangdong province, 5 September 2013. Chinese acrobatic troupes need to enlarge their domestic market and innovate their performances amid expectations that the art, which has been around for thousands of years, will help China extend its cultural influence, industry insiders said. After a long depression, the domestic acrobatic industry has started to expand, according to Bian Faji, president of the China Acrobats Association. The domestic market has fared better than overseas markets, which shrunk following the global economic downturn. Domestic revenues are nearly equal to overseas revenues for most acrobatic troupes, Bian said, adding that many of the larger groups prefer to perform in China rather than in foreign countries. But Chen Shuzhen, chief of the Hebei Acrobatics Troupe, said his group made less than 100, 000 yuan (US$16, 300) in its home province during the first half of 2011, but earned more than 8 million yuan (US$1.3 million) in overseas markets during the same period. Industry insiders agreed that inadequate acrobatic venues have curbed the markets expansion. While some Chinese acrobats have earned fame by performing in global competitions, Bian contended that they should continue innovating their performances to better cater to rapidly changing tastes.
