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Fencers' golds at Paris Olympics spur learning craze in Hong Kong

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      China

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      Fencers' golds at Paris Olympics spur learning craze in Hong Kong

      2024-08-12 17:48 Last Updated At:23:17

      Fencing is experiencing a surge in popularity in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region following the region's unprecedented success at the Paris Olympics.

      Fencers Edgar Cheung Ka-long and Vivian Kong Man-wai both struck gold in the French capital, the most that Hong Kong has won in a single sports category.

      The remarkable result has further boosted the confidence and enthusiasm of the region's fencing senior, Lau Kwok-kin, who won a bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games and 2010 Asian Games in the men's foil team competition

      The 47-year-old was also the first fencer ever from the region to qualify for the Olympics in 2004, and he participated in the 2008 Beijing Games as well.

      Now, he works as a full time instructor at a fencing school, nurturing the next generation of fencing talent Hong Kong has to offer.

      "There are many fencing schools in Hong Kong now, about 30 to 40. This vigorous development has made more young fencers willing to play it, and the chances of fostering talented and good athletes have increased a lot," he said.

      Nine-year-old Alvin Tse is among the region's ambitious young fencers. After beginning a year and a half ago, he now trains four times a week and has set high sights for himself.

      Tse said his ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics and win a medal through great effort and training.

      According to his school, it has seen a fivefold increase in interest in studying fencing compared to before the Olympics, especially among girls.

      Lau, who coached both Kong and Cheung at the World University Games in Chengdu, says he is proud of what they have achieved.

      "Vivian Kong and Edgar Cheung are both world-class fencers. They have to bear a lot of pressure. Normally, they would be more conservative when they are behind, but they are brave enough to win back points at the right time. I think their psychological control is very good, indeed world-class, and they can perform well even under great pressure," said Lau.

      Fencers' golds at Paris Olympics spur learning craze in Hong Kong

      Fencers' golds at Paris Olympics spur learning craze in Hong Kong

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      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

      2025-01-21 22:51 Last Updated At:01-22 01:17

      Chinese President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to guide China-Russia relations to a new height in 2025 so that the stability and resilience of their bilateral relationship can better cope with the uncertainties of a challenging global environment, when talking with Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link on Tuesday.

      Xi expressed his pleasure at meeting with Putin ahead of the Chinese New Year, which falls on Jan 29 this year, describing it as a time for reflection and planning.

      "At the turn of the year, it is a moment to review achievements and chart new plans," he said.

      Xi noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victories of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN).

      "China and Russia should take the opportunities presented by the anniversaries to jointly safeguard the U.N.-centered international system, and the hard-won fruits of victory in World War II. Both countries, as founding members of the UN and permanent members of the Security Council, must uphold their institutional rights," he said.

      "In the new year, I'm willing to work with you to continue guiding China-Russia relations to a new height in 2025, to respond to external uncertainties with the stability and resilience of China-Russia ties, to boost the development and prosperity of both countries, and to uphold international fairness and justice," Xi said.

      Putin said he agrees with Xi's views, saying that Russia-China cooperation is built on a broad commonality of national interests.

      "Our perspectives on how to properly handle relations between major powers are increasingly aligned. Our bilateral relationship is built on friendship, mutual trust, support, equality and mutual benefit. It is independent and unaffected by domestic political factors and the current international situation," he said.

      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

      Xi calls for strengthening China-Russia ties to address global uncertainties

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