(Ecns.cn)--Thanks in no small part to Bruce Lee, as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the recently closed Guangzhou Asian Games, Chinese martial arts (Wushu) remain highly respected by the international community.
Backed by traditional cultural elements, Kung Fu remains a top contender in the world as both an exhibition and full-contact sport.
With its various styles, movements and myths, Wushu has attracted people for decades, especially children. As a result, many schools have been established and continue to develop, yet some of them are focused more on making money than teaching the philosophy behind Chinese martial arts.
Growing vigorously
Last August, Sichuan province held a Wushu competition which attracted a large number of competitors and media from across the country.
Because the event coincided with the summer holiday, many children also participated. Early in the morning, kids ranging from 3 to 12 years old could be seen venturing out to do warm up exercises.
Most of the children came from professional martial arts schools scattered around the country, many owned privately by people who have basic knowledge of Wushu and can teach the art.
Currently in China, there are over 10,000 Wushu schools and the number is on the rise. In some better-developed provinces and cities, a complete Wushu industry chain has been set up.
For example, in Dengfeng, Henan Province, there are about 56 schools with over 8,000 faculty members and over 60,000 students.
"Wushu was originally treated as a form of combat, but as the government gradually began promoting it, it became an exercise activity for the general public," said Wang Shutian, the director of a Wushu school that participated in the competition.
"More and more children come to learn Wushu. This year, our school chose 30 students for the competition, and 20 of them are children," added Wang, who believes that modern Wushu is a good way to educate children.
Learning Wushu is a practical way to help build up a child's personality, according to Dang Jianguo, another school director. It is an art that can attract children immediately and at the same time strengthen their will, he added.
