Kung fu unites, excites in San Francisco

Ancient martial art a 'perfect platform' to connect Chinese, American cultures

SAN FRANCISCO - Chinese kung fu is a perfect platform that connects Chinese and Americans and contributes a lot to the diversified cultures of various communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to organizers of a successful and popular Kung Fu Night gala event.

The Chinese martial arts are part of the rich heritage of traditional Chinese culture, which can be integrated with the diversified cultures of various communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, said Qian Chengfei, one of the organizers of the gala that drew an audience of more than 500.

More than 200 kung fu Chinese and American practitioners, aged between 5 and 60, from about 20 kung fu schools in the Bay Area, staged the event last Friday night in Santa Clara, northern California.

The two-hour gala featured more than 20 performances that displayed the distinct skills and breathtaking fighting techniques of Chinese melee weapons such as the sword, nunchaku, machete, double swords and spears.

Each of the participating schools - including Thunder Kungfu Academy, Dragon Rhythm Shaolin Kung Fu, and Feishifu Kungfu - also displayed their own fighting styles as well as qigong, the breathing and health system of movement.

All the performances followed the principle of "high quality, difficulty, beauty and innovation" and adopted choreographed skills to heighten the visual effects, said Zhao Qingjian, director of the gala and the champion of the kung fu event at the 2008 Beijing summer Olympic Games.

The gala was also joined by 10 teachers and students from China's Capital Institute of Physical Education, whose performance brought to life the magic and mysterious kung fu combat skills that have been passed down from Chinese kung fu masters for hundreds of years.

Their finale display brought the gala night to a climax that won thunderous applause from the enthusiastic audience who cheered with joy and excitement.

"Many Americans have shown genuine passion for kung fu, and they are so fascinated about it that they are reluctant to leave their schools even after instruction time is over," Zhao said.

He added that many hundreds of thousands of American people have learned Chinese kung fu in various schools in the Bay Area over the past decades.

"We're celebrating the cultural event here," said Santa Clara Vice-Mayor Kathy Watanabe.

"Kung fu is something that is not just Asia-related, but it really crosses borders," she added. "We're really excited to have it here in Santa Clara tonight."

China's Consul General in San Francisco, Wang Donghua, said in a letter to the organizers that the country's wushu, or martial arts, was a treasure of Chinese traditional culture. "With its long history, profound meaning and unique glamour, Chinese wushu is well known in the world," Wang said.

Organized by the Fuji Foundation and the American Shandong Chamber of Commerce, the event has been held five times in the Bay Area to promote Chinese culture and bring the essence of Chinese kung fu to a larger overseas audience.

The organizers' efforts have won the recognition of California Assembly Member Kansen Chu.

In a certificate of recognition, Chu, on behalf of California State Assembly, commended their "dedicated efforts in our community to promote Chinese culture, martial arts and assist in Chinese-American friendship".

Xinhua

(China Daily 12/20/2018 page17)