From 18 to 26 November 2016, the 3rd China International Circus Festival was held at the newly completed Hengqin Island Theatre, bringing together 27 top teams from 21 countries. Selected from over 400 programmes worldwide, the line-up covered a variety of genres including comedy clowning, aerial acts, stage acrobatics, and magic, fully showcasing the festival’s international calibre and professional excellence.

The success of the first three editions established Chimelong’s cultural status as a “gathering place for world circus arts” and led to the festival’s upgrade from a biennial to an annual event. This marked not only the maturation of a performing arts competition, but also the creation of an important platform for China to engage with the world and promote cultural exchange.