Music and dance is shaking up the capital! Brazilian singers, Cuban dancers, and a Uruguayan ballerina have come to Beijing to kick off a year of cultural exchange between China and Latin America. And Chinese performers joined in on the fun.

Cuba's Lizt Alfonso Dance troupe opened the gala with an upbeat dance number: Joyful Rumbon. Their flamboyant moves lit up up the theater.

Chinese artists also took part. Zhang Jian and Ma Xiaodong, of the National Ballet of China, teamed up with Uruguay's Maria Riccetto and Gustavo Carvalho to perform excerpts from the classic, "Don Quixote."

Brazilian duo, Sara Sarres and Cleto Baccic, were another highlight, singing 'All I ask of You' and a classic Chinese song called "Marriage Oath."

Sarres, originally from Brasilia in Brazil, is hailed as the main musical-theater actress of her generation in her home country. She also played Christine in 'Phantom of the Opera' during its China tour of 2015.

"I'm completely in love with China. I had a great time here with the tour of 'Phantom', and I'm truly happy to be back again. It's an amazing celebration of friendship between China and Latin America," Sara Sarres said.

The 2016 China-Latin America Year of Cultural Exchange encompasses the fields of Art, Literature, Film, Media, Tourism, and Archaeology and embraces a wide variety of cultural institutions -- including theaters, museums, and universities -- on both sides.

The 2016 China-Latin America Year of Cultural Exchange encompasses the fields of Art, Literature, Film, Media, Tourism, and Archaeology and embraces a wide variety of cultural institutions -- including theaters, museums, and universities -- on both sides.

"We have, like all the countries in the world, our own folk culture, folk music... But Argentina doesn't only have tango; Brazil doesn't only have samba and carnivals. We also have opera, we also have theatre, a diversity of arts," Sara Sarres said.

President Xi Jinping proposed the cultural-exchange year in 2014 when he attended the China-Latin America and Caribbean Summit in Brasilia.

Chinese Pianist, Lang Lang, who's set to embark on a Latin America tour -- has been appointed Image Ambassador for this initiative.

Cuban Vice-Minister of Culture, Julio Ballester Guzman, welcomes the Year's ambitious aims.

"Cuba has always been active in cultural exchange with China. In recent years, various outstanding Chinese artists have performed in Cuba. And for this year's event, we have some of the top artists taking part. I'm confident such efforts can deepen the understanding between the two peoples and strengthen bilateral ties between China and Latin America," he said.

The event will run until November with a closing ceremony hosted by one of the 30 Latin American or Caribbean countries participating, during a state visit by Chinese leaders.