Scaling new heights

Pole dancing is often associated with strip clubs and pornography, but a group of passionate dancers are hoping a new performance will prove to people that it requires as much artistic skill and athleticism as more conventional forms of dance. Chen Nan reports.

Wearing white tank tops and tight black shorts, dancers from the China Pole Dance Team climb a 3-meter steel pole. On their way up, each dancer gives a 30-second demonstration of their skills on the pole. They spin and twirl with legs straight and toes pointing to the ceiling while holding the pole. As they drop quickly and gently to the floor, the crowd gasps and applauds.

"This is art, isn't it," says Yuan Biao, clapping and standing next to the stage.