介绍:
China's sports and culture authority will introduce guidelines to regulate square-dancing in the country.
The dance is wildly popular among elderly Chinese women and is performed in large groups at night in public squares.
After authorities commented on the issues with venues and noise disputes, fitness authorities plan to introduce 12 authorized routines as well as permissible times and music volume.
However, some netizens said the "dancing grannies" just want to dance freely and asked why the authorities are bothering to introduce guidelines for an exercise?
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(John )David Bosak comments on npr.org, (Against)
"I witnessed the public dancing in China last summer. It was one of the most interesting things I saw during my stay. The beauty of this exercise is that all people including the elderly, kids and couples, can dance however they want. So why do they need some regulations to restrict their activities? I'm sure there are tons of other more important issues needing their attention."
(LK) Patrick Kwon comment on weibo, (Against)
"That's so funny. Dancing grannies are doing just fine so far without so called experts. I don't think they need "experts" to pick songs or teach them how to dance. They are neither students nor professional dancers. Come on! It's none of your business!"
(JN)Fun Chuck comment on 163.com,(Against)
"I agree the dancing grannies are sometimes really loud. But after years of discussion, most of the Da Ma (大妈) learned how to dance properly without affecting other people. It is just too late for authorities to step in. And Xiao Pingguo(Little apple) !? I have to say authorities have bad taste in picking songs."
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Notes:
- Choreographed by an expert panel including dancers and fitness trainers, the 12 square-dancing drills accompanied by pop music such as Internet hit Little Apple will be introduced to local fitness sites in 31 provinces and municipalities in the next five months.
-The use of public space for the exercise has led to tensions boiling over. In 2013, Wuhan residents made headlines after they showered faeces on a group of boisterous "dancing grannies".
-The new guidelines on choreography will be put together by an expert panel.
-"The unified drills [routines] will help keep the dancing on the right track where they can be performed in a socially responsible way," Wang Guangcheng, a fitness trainer and member of the panel, told China Daily.
-The craze has even gone international - in 2014 groups were spotted dancing in front of the Louvre in Paris, and in Moscow's Red Square.
- The chief of the General Administration of Sport's Mass Fitness Department, Liu Guoyong said that following complaints officials would "have to guide it with national standards and regulations".
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(John)GS comments on weibo,(Support)
"It's a good thing. Finally, there's someone that can do something about the Guangchangwu(广场舞) or square dancing. The elderly ladies make so much noise in the evening in my neighborhood. It's so annoying!"
(LK)Guang Mingding said on qq.com,(Support)
"Since several experts will help compose dances, the overall fitness level will be improved significantly. I think it is definitely good news for mothers."
(JN)Pitch Perfect comments on China.org.cn, (Support)
"I couldn't help imagine what it will look like when Da Ma (Grannies) from different cities perform the same dance. It is not only a good way to do the exercise, but also they can organize some kind of competition to make square dancing more interesting. Like some officials said, to keep the dancing on the right track where they can be performed in a socially responsible way."
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