The New Shanghai Circus, a traditional Chinese acrobatic circus.

The New Shanghai Circus, a Chinese traditional acrobatic circus, on Friday opened the International Circus Festival 2010 in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta with its stunning performance.

The Chinese team presented a beautiful attraction, a combination of beauty, muscle flexibility, dexterity, courage, humor, theater as well as traditional music and costumes.

The performance was opened by a member of the team who said that it was the first time they played in Indonesia.

"We are glad to be here. We have been around the world, but this is the first time in Indonesia," he said.

He reminded audiences not to take photographs and asked them to shut their cell phones down so that all payers stay focused. "We will perform a dangerous action so please don't distract them," he said.

The action was opened by a somersault attraction by male players aged 9-10. They performed several dangerous variations.

Female players followed by performing softness and balance attraction. Putting burden in their mouths with a stick, at the same time they played ring around their bodies.

A beauty of a Chinese attraction was performed by a pair of beautiful girl and a handsome boy.

A long red cloth pulled ups and downs was rode by the pair with various beautiful moves.

The team also performed a theater, muscle flexibility and other moves.

Xiao Jun Kong, 30, the team manager, told Xinhua that they will stay and perform in Jakarta for 10 days.

"The performance we do is very traditional China. But we don't perform kung fu or other martial arts. We just play acrobatic moves," said the beautiful woman.

She also said that she has met other teams from the United States and Europe, saying that they are very friendly and cooperative.

Li Yu Hao, 9, one of the youngest players in the team, said that he started training for the circus three years ago.

"I like what I am doing right now. Nobody forces me to play in the circus. My parent are not circus people," he said.

Aciel, 9, a spectator coming from Bali province, said that she was happy to see the show.

"I like all things they did. But, my favorite action was the girl with rope attraction," she said.

The Indonesian International Circus Festival 2010 is scheduled to be held here from July 2 to 11.

The festival was claimed as the largest in Southeast Asia and the longest period in the world. It will be featured by prominent groups Cirque Le Masque from the United States, New Shanghai Circus from China and Cyclown Circus from Europe.

The organizer has allocated 8.6 hectares of areas and set dazzling lighting effect to accommodate the performances.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2010)