The RDB has just given the first of two performances in Beijing, and at the end of it it was announced from the stage that Chinese soloist Yao Wei was promoted to Solodanser (Principal).

Theatre chief Erik Jacobsen announced the promotion and said:

"One of our traditions surrounds the appointment to principal dancer, the highest title obtainable at The Royal Danish Ballet. Only a few dancers will ever reach this level, and we normally make this announcement in front of our home audience in Copenhagen. But today we would like, in this extraordinary house, to promote a new principal dancer to The Royal Danish Ballet.
It is a beautiful dancer with an exquisite technique, and a very expressive and lyrical style, a dancer who has already at a young age danced many leading roles in the greatest ballets of our repertory. Her professional attitude and disciplined approach serves as an example to all, and it is a great honour for me here in China to promote our Chinese dancer Yao Wei to Principal Dancer with The Royal Danish Ballet!”

Yao Wei danced Tatiana in Cranko's Onegin for the first time earlier this year - there are some fine photographs on David Amzallag's blog.

That was a lovely gesture.

to Yao Wei on her promotion.

Just imagine if they had taken Yao MING into the company! Taller women would never have to worry about having a partner!

Yes, indeed. Thank you Jane for posting this and the Link to the photos of Yao Wei.