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Deng Xiaoping
Zhang Weiqiang is a classmate of Cunxin’s at the Beijing Dance Academy. When Ben Stevenson invites the academy to nominate two dancers to attend summer dance classes with the Houston Ballet, Zhang Weiqiang is chosen, along with Cunxin. Later, he represents China in the American International Ballet Competition. After Deng Xiaoping’s open-door policy allows greater freedom of movement for Chinese citizens, Zhang takes a job with the Winnipeg Royal Ballet in Canada.
Zhang Weiqiang Quotes in Mao’s Last Dancer
The Mao’s Last Dancer quotes below are all either spoken by Zhang Weiqiang or refer to Zhang Weiqiang . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 19: Good-bye, China
Quotes
“I wish to propose two toasts. The first is to all of you for putting up with me for over five and a half years of shouting and carrying on. This may be our last gathering together. I’m proud to be your teacher and I wish you all the best of luck. You’re Chairman and Madame Mao’s last generation of dancers. You have studied under the most strict and disciplined rules imaginable, but this will give you an edge over the others. You’ll be the last dancers of the era.” Teacher Xiao stopped briefly to calm his emotions. “I’ll boldly make a prediction. Your dance training will never be duplicated. Your dancing will proudly stand high in Chinese ballet history.”
He paused again. “My second toast is to Cunxin’s American trip. I hope you will respect your past and charge toward the future. Perfect your art form. Make all of China proud.”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Mao’s Last Dancer LitChart as a printable PDF.
Zhang Weiqiang Quotes in Mao’s Last Dancer
The Mao’s Last Dancer quotes below are all either spoken by Zhang Weiqiang or refer to Zhang Weiqiang . For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 19: Good-bye, China
Quotes
“I wish to propose two toasts. The first is to all of you for putting up with me for over five and a half years of shouting and carrying on. This may be our last gathering together. I’m proud to be your teacher and I wish you all the best of luck. You’re Chairman and Madame Mao’s last generation of dancers. You have studied under the most strict and disciplined rules imaginable, but this will give you an edge over the others. You’ll be the last dancers of the era.” Teacher Xiao stopped briefly to calm his emotions. “I’ll boldly make a prediction. Your dance training will never be duplicated. Your dancing will proudly stand high in Chinese ballet history.”
He paused again. “My second toast is to Cunxin’s American trip. I hope you will respect your past and charge toward the future. Perfect your art form. Make all of China proud.”
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
