Cultural exchange has remained "an important bond" in China-Canada relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties 55 years ago, Luo said, adding that he hoped the Toronto performances would allow more Canadian audiences to experience both traditional Chinese culture and contemporary Chinese creativity.

For Zheng Zujie, an inheritor of Wing Chun, which is recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage, the Toronto performances carry particular significance.

"This is the first stop of our North American cultural exchange," Zheng said in an interview with China Daily. He said his role in the Toronto opening was to support the production's efforts to promote intangible cultural heritage overseas.

Zheng said stage productions such as dance dramas offer a powerful way to introduce traditional martial arts to new audiences.

"Dance drama is also a type of communication, like film or theater," he said. "From the perspective of dissemination, it's a very good thing — a completely new attempt."

What distinguishes Wing Chun, Zheng said, is its effort to merge martial discipline with artistic expression without losing the philosophical core of Chinese culture.

"It perfectly integrates martial arts with art," he said, adding that the production reflects traditional Chinese aesthetics such as "the balance between hardness and softness, emotion and spirit, movement and stillness".

As a recognized bearer of intangible cultural heritage, Zheng said his work has focused on both domestic transmission and international outreach. In recent years, he said, Wing Chun practitioners have been sent abroad annually to teach and engage with different communities.