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Contestants from the United States perform pas de deux at a preliminary contest of the Third Shanghai International Ballet Contest in Shanghai June 26, 2004. Eighty-three contestants from 18 countries and regions are taking part in the contest.

Contestants from Danmark perform pas de deux at a preliminary contest of the Third Shanghai International Ballet Contest in Shanghai June 26, 2004. Eighty-three contestants from 18 countries and regions are taking part in the contest.

Zheng Yu from northeast China's Liaoning Province performs at a preliminary contest of the Third Shanghai International Ballet Contest kicked off in Shanghai June 26, 2004. Eighty-three contestants from 18 countries and regions are taking part in the contest.

    BEIJING, June 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The Third Shanghai International Ballet Competition is being held in Shanghai, reported CRIENGLISH.com.

    90 competitors from 18 countries and regions fight for 20 awards. The competition lasts for a week beginning on Saturday.

    As the only international ballet festival in China, the First Shanghai International Ballet Competition was held in 1995.

    The competition is aimed at promoting the development of ballet in China, fostering new ballet talents and strengthening ballet-related exchange and collaboration both at home and abroad.

(Text: CRIENGLISH.com)