A pair of promising dancers from China's star team compete at the 2017 Belt and Road Asia-Pacific International Ballroom Dancing Championships, held in Guangzhou from May 6 to 7. [Photo by Huang Lulu/Xinhua]

Some of the world's best ballroom dancers foxtrotted their way to Guangzhou's Nansha Gymnasium from May 6, to take part in the 2017 Belt and Road Asia-Pacific International Ballroom Dancing Championships.

Organized by Nansha Dancing Sport Association and Nansha Tourism Association, the prestigious dance event is expected to attract more than 2,000 dancers from some 20 Asian countries and regions to compete this year, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Experts and judges from both home and abroad will select shortlists in six dance categories from 170 competing teams in professional, amateur, and teenage groups.

A group of dancers mix ballroom with Latin dancing at the 2017 Belt and Road Asia-Pacific International Ballroom Dancing Championships held in Guangzhou, May 6 to 7. [Photo by Huang Lulu/Xinhua]

The annual dance festival is commonly compared to the Blackpool Dance Festival -- the world's first and most famous international ballroom dance competition.

The event will also help to boost the cultural exchanges between Guangzhou and countries overseas.