SANTIAGO, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Chilean children and their parents burst into enthusiastic applause after watching a rousing theater performance of the ancient Chinese fable "Three Monks."

The tale of three young monks-in-the-making and how they learn about the benefits of cooperation and unity was staged by the China National Theater for Children (CNTC) in Santiago's west-side commune of Cerrillos on Tuesday night.

Nine-year-old Amanda was among the approximately 400 people who attended the show, one of seven CNTC performances taking place as part of the city's Santiago a Mil International Theater Festival running through Jan. 26.

She said she was "delighted" by her very first Chinese production, which combines theater, martial arts and elements of classical Chinese opera, and can be universally understood as it has no dialogue.

Feng Li, deputy director of the CNTC, said the play has been staged in 30 cities in 19 countries on five continents since its debut in 2014, but had never been presented in Latin America before.

"This play ... arouses the interest, affection and curiosity of audiences in different countries towards China, the remote and millenary country in the East," said Feng.

"They understand the play perfectly ... art has no borders," Feng added.

Cerrillos Mayor Arturo Aguirre said that "you could see it was full of people, full of youngsters, many children; many were left outside (due to a lack of seating capacity) ... such a beautiful and age-old play from China."

The adult audience members were as enchanted with the play as the children, he noted.

"Only great artists can communicate those emotions, those feelings, the harmony between the public and the actors when there is no dialogue," said Aguirre.

The festival will tour 24 communes in the Santiago metropolitan region, as well as cities around the country.