Chinese Wing Chun martial art unites people around world with great practicality, philosophy

Originating from southern China, the Wing Chun martial art -- a form of Chinese Kung Fu -- has been well-embraced by people around the world because of its function in keeping fit and the good philosophy it contains.

In an international cultural exchange TV program called "Harmony in Diversity", co-produced by China Media Group (CMG) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Zheng Zujie, a Chinese Grand Master of Wing Chun, explained the history and the impacts of Wing Chun.

"This is our international exhibition hall. These are the current representative Wing Chun practitioners. Grandmaster Ip Man, Bruce Lee, and my master -- Master Joseph Cheng. Master Joseph Cheng was also the first to bring Wing Chun overseas. The book below - The Art of Simultaneous Defense and Attack - is the world's first book about wooden dummy. It was written by my master and published in London, England in 1976, in English," Zheng said.

"Wing Chun is very popular among foreigners all over the world and is still highly favored today," he emphasized while giving an example.

"This shows the event I participated in Europe's Malta back in 2018. It is for all ages, from kindergarten children to the elderly. These are all the signatures of the elderly, and this is a special souvenir with glazed tiles. This event really touched me a lot. Via teaching, I can feel that these foreigners not only like the practicality and the physical fitness that Wing Chun brings, but also the profound philosophy and connotations that Chinese culture contains," Zheng said.

There are also some foreign Wing Chun teachers abroad. Zheng highlighted one of them -- Keith R. Kernspecht.

"It should be said that Wing Chun has been promoted very well throughout Europe. There is a representative figure called Master Keith R. Kernspecht. He was my master's apprentice in London, England from 1970 to 1976. He is currently (2024) the chairman of the European WingTsun Organization (EWTO). We had never met each other before. He is nearly 80 years old now. But when we met, it was like a reunion of brothers who had been separated for many years, with a kind of special sincerity and sentiment.  I really felt that Chinese culture can bring people of different nationalities, skin colors and ages together, like a family. I'm really inspired," Zheng said.

"EWTO is the abbreviation of European WingTsun Organization. This is a photo of its 40th anniversary. It is a very touching moment for us Chinese people. It shows that our traditional Chinese culture is so highly respected in the West. According to incomplete estimates, the organization so far has nearly one million members, so it has a great influence in Europe," he added.

Sarah Kalbreier and Gianfranco Leandrin are Wing Chun practitioners in Germany. Not only have they benefited from this martial art personally, but also have won awards due to their exceptional performance.

"My name is Sarah Kalbreier. I have been practicing Wing Chun since 2010 and now I have an instructor certificate, and even a title of 'master'. Wing Chun not only will help children to build a stronger physique, but also show them how to behave correctly, how to be an upright person, and where is the bottom line for being a human," Kalbreier believed.

"This is my medal collection and they are very special for me, because it was also the first Wing Chung World Championship and was held at the Southern Shaolin Monastery. In addition to my gold medals, there is also something quite unique, which is my winner trophy. I became the champion at the tetrathlon," Leandrin shared.

Zheng said an initiative launched after the competition showed the great value within Wing Chun and the harmony it brings to unite people with different backgrounds.

"After the competition, we launched an initiative called 'Wing Chun has no bounds, the world is one family'. All the participants signed the initiative, committing themselves to promoting such a cause that benefits human civilization, health and development -- purifying hearts and stopping wars. Wing Chun has no bounds, the world is one family, with respect for diversity and upholding of the beauty of each civilization," Zheng said.

Chinese Wing Chun martial art unites people around world with great practicality, philosophy

Nestled in the Loess Plateau at 2,000 meters above sea level, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province has overcome its harsh natural conditions to cultivate a flourishing rose industry.

Through cutting-edge greenhouse technology, the region has built a thriving rose industry, creating a 200-million-yuan (over 27 million U.S. dollars) "flower economy" that employs over 4,000 locals per year.

At Linxia Baiyi Yinong International Flower Port, the air in the greenhouse thickens with the scent of roses as dozens of workers harvest the blooms.

"Our yields are so high now that we start working early. Each of us can cut 5,000 to 6,000 roses daily," said rose picker Zhang Caihong.

Freshly cut roses undergo pre-cooling at 2 degrees Celsius in a state of vacuum for four to six hours to extend their shelf life. In the packing facility, 100 workers sort stems by bloom size, stem thickness, and color depth. 

The cold-chain logistics can ensure the roses reach anywhere across China in 24 hours by air, or 48 hours by truck.

Unlike traditional soil-based cultivation, roses here grow in a special soil substitute across 200,000 square meters of greenhouses. Sensors hanging above the plants collect real-time data on light, humidity, and temperature, feeding into an automated drip irrigation system.

"The drip system works like an IV, delivering precise amounts of water and nutrients. This makes rose cultivation viable in arid regions while maximizing resource efficiency," said production supervisor Zhang Xiaoliang.

Once reliant on subsistence farming, Linxia now produces 70 million premium cut roses annually, including exclusive varieties bred for year-round blooming. Flower sales have also gone up through live-streaming e-commerce.  

Thriving rose industry drives rural economy in Gansu's Linxia prefecture