Zhao Ruheng Pre-General Manger of National Ballet of China

Pre-General manager of the National Ballet of China and vice chairman of the Chinese Dancers' Association. After graduating with distinction from the Beijing Dance Academy in 1961, Zhao Ruheng took the National Ballet of China by storm, playing a number of lead roles in major ballets that included Swan Lake, Giselle and The Red Company of Women. But misfortune struck in 1972 when a persistent foot injury forced her to give up her career as a dancer. Zhao turned to study, joining Beijing International Studies University to teach ballet and promote international cultural exchange programs. The Ministry of Culture appointed her as deputy manager of the National Ballet of China (NBC) in 1993 and she was promoted to general manager just a year later.

Zhao set about bringing the NBC up to international standard. She oversaw the creation of ballets with unique Chinese characteristics and worked to establish close links with internationally renowned ballet schools, troupes and directors. Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and Sleeping Beauty were just some of the classic productions that were subsequently brought to China and adapted. They were followed by a list of popular modern plays including Spring Worship, Who Cares and Pink Floyd Ballet.

On May 2, 2001, Raise the Red Lanterns, a ballet adapted from Su Tong's novel Wives and Concubines by Zhao Ruheng, in collaboration with famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou and composer Chen Qigang, premiered at the Tianqiao Theatre in Beijing. It achieved instant fame within China and, with its rich depiction of 1930s China, soon spread across the world. Together with the classic The Red Company of Woman, it inspired a new genre which became known as "Red Ballet". But Zhao didn’t stop there. She created a Chinese version of The Nutcracker and Chinese ballets Liang Shanbo and The Yellow River, all winning her international recognition for their innovative Chinese style.

Zhao Ruheng has led her ballet company on tours all over the world and, in 2003, her productions proved instant hits with the critics in France, the UK and Italy. She has also sat on the judging panel for many prestigious international ballet competitions and, most recently, was the chair at the China International Ballet Competition in Shanghai in 2007. Under Zhao's guidance, NBC performers have won numerous awards in international competitions for Moscow to Tokyo.