Chi Cao (Chinese: 曹驰; pinyin: Cáo Chí; b.
Cao was born in Shanghai, the son of a dance teacher and a musician.
In 1998 he won the Gold Medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition.
Together with his long-time dance partner Nao Sakuma [ja], he represented the company, among other things, at the NATO gala in 2000 in Birmingham and the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2002.
[3] Li Cunxin himself had recommended Chi Cao for this role because he knew his father.