From external to self-regulation: How aesthetic system of Chinese Classical Dance was built

As a major branch of Chinese dance, Chinese classical dance has undergone more than seventy years of exploration and development since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The formation of its distinctive aesthetic paradigm and disciplinary system vividly exemplifies a creative practice of transforming “external regulation” into “self-regulation.” Drawing movement inspiration from traditional folk art forms and extracting characteristic elements from historical and cultural contexts, Chinese classical dance is deeply rooted in China’s traditional cultural lineage while asserting the autonomy and innovative qualities of dance as an art form. Through an inclusive and integrative approach, it has established a development pattern of “unity in diversity,” demonstrating a vibrant vitality that emerges from tradition while continuously renewing itself.