Encouraging routine cultural exchanges

Renowned French choreographer keen to incorporate traditional Chinese elements into his programs

A crowd of young figure skaters, all with varying levels of skill — some still stumble and occasionally fall on the ice — can be seen learning some basic maneuvers. However, their instructor is no ordinary skating coach. Imparting his wisdom to the next generation of skating stars is former Team China figure skater Tong Jian, a two-time world champion in figure skating pairs alongside his partner, on and off the ice, Pang Qing.

Parents line the edge of the ice rink, holding up their phones hoping to capture their child skating alongside Tong, while loudly encouraging those who have fallen over to get back up.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience is part of a figure skating public welfare class held at a newly-built ice rink in Beijing's Tongzhou district.