Traditional Chinese sports captivate audiences at China House in Paris

Amid the fervor of the Paris Olympics where athletes are giving their all on the grand stage, the spotlight has also shone on traditional Chinese sports in France.

The China House on Saturday held a special event to showcase traditional Chinese sports, which drew in a diverse crowd of spectators from China, France, and beyond, eager to immerse themselves in these age-old practices.

A nine-year-old girl from France has been practicing Chinese Kung Fu for six years. Growing up under the influence of her father and elderly brother, the girl has developed a genuine passion and clear aspirations for the art of Chinese martial arts.

"Learning Kung Fu can protect myself. It's also a sport and make me more confident. Learning Kung Fu is also good to health, keeping me from illness. I learn with my dad and elder brother. They first learned it and I like it. I will keep practicing Kung Fu," said the girl.

The event was not just about martial arts demonstrations. It also offered hands-on experiences with traditional sports like Cuju (an ancient form of football) and Touhu, or pitch-pot (an ancient entertainment that requires players to throw arrows from a set distance into a pot) along with engaging activities such as Chinese calligraphy, seal carving, and lacquer fan crafting.

More than 30 French teenagers and their parents formed teams to participate in various activities and friendly competitions. Through informative and interactive sessions, the event not only showcased the vibrant history of traditional Chinese sports but also fostered a sense of unity, teamwork, and mutual appreciation, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and shared success.

Volunteers at the event are university students from Hong Kong, who are responsible for introducing Chinese traditional sports and culture to visitors from around the world.

"We talk with many foreigners, letting them know more about Chinese culture," said a volunteer.

The event at the China House in Paris served not only as a celebration of beauty and significance of traditional Chinese sports but also as a bridge for cultural exchange, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds through the universal language of sports.

Traditional Chinese sports captivate audiences at China House in Paris

Traditional Chinese sports captivate audiences at China House in Paris

The delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinse People's Armed Police Force to the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held group meetings to review the government work report on Wednesday afternoon in Beijing.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report on behalf of the State Council at the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), said that the extraordinary achievements made by the Party, the country and the military over the past year have proved that no difficulties or obstacles can stop China from advancing the historical process of national rejuvenation.

He stressed that the entire military forces must focus on achieving the centenary goal of the PLA, comprehensively enhance the military's capability to fight and win, and accelerate the advancement of the modernization of national defense and armed forces.

He Weidong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the CMC, said that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, China has made new solid strides forward in advancing Chinese modernization, urging the whole military to strengthen military training and combat readiness, promote the implementation of plans, unswervingly enforce discipline while combating corruption to achieve the centenary goal of the PLA.

Military delegation to NPC annual session reviews gov't work report