Archive for March 2007
New Kungfu Club Started
Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 7:41 PM by Sifu Smith
Zhuji Kung-Fu Club in Yantai, Shandong Province, was opened on January
14, 2007. Being the very first Kung-Fu club initiated by an ordinary
citizen, Chen Linshi, the club will serve to protect Yantai's tradition
in martial arts.
Posted in Kung Fu
USA Today - Recent Tai Chi Article
Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2007 at 6:15 PM by Sifu Smith
The "USA Today" recently had a large article on the benefits of Tai Chi. Besides many physical benefits, the participants reported feeling much more confident.
Posted in Tai Chi
Request made to TACAS
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 3:39 PM by Sifu Smith
In an effort to continue to support and grow the awareness of not only Tai Chi and Chinese Culture, I have made a request to the Triangle Area Chinese-American Society to allow our school to support there efforts. TACAS did a great job hosting the Chinese New Year last month.
Chances of the Dalai Lama Returning is Slim
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 3:22 PM by Sifu Smith
A government official recently stated that they had never closed the doors to speaking with the Dalai Lama; but there is no recognition of his 'government in exile'.
"Unless Dalai Lama completely gives up the pursuit of 'Tibet independence' both in idea and deed, the chance for him to return is slim," he said.
"But we will never recognize his so-called government-in-exile. He must completely give up this concept of an Independent Tibet."
Tibetan Businessman Jailed
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 3:16 PM by Sifu Smith
A 50 year old prominent Tibetan businessman/farmer was jailed after authorities found banned CD's of the Dalai Lama's teachings in his home. It was reported that authorities became suspicious when the Tibetan farmer took on large numbers of livestock; which is an outlawed gesture of support for the Dalai Lama. He was given a three year prison sentence, that will be served in the Nyari prison, located at Shigatse.
First Day of Spring
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 3:08 PM by Sifu Smith
Watching the fish come together on this early spring day is very
popular in Hongzhou. It was still a cool day in China, but spring is
coming.
Posted in Stories
Kungfu Included on Government Intabgible Cultural List
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 7:48 AM by Sifu Smith
Zhengzhou, Mar. 7 - The government of Henan Province has included 148 items of various categories in the first list of intangible cultural heritage at the provincial level. Shaolin Kungfu, Majieshuhui gathering, Zhuxianzhen Blockprinted Pictures, Henan Zhuizi, Tang Tri-colored Glazed Pottery are all on the list, according to sources with Henan Provincial Cultural Bureau.
The list of intangible cultural heritage in Henan Province will be updated every other year in the future by the government, which will offer help and support to all projects on the list. Foremost exponents of Chinese culture will deserve special assistance from the government in funding and the passing on of craftsmanship.
Edited on: Saturday, March 10, 2007 7:48 AMPosted in Stories
Ancient Books Getting Protection
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 7:46 AM by Sifu Smith
Beijing, March 5 – According to Zhou Heping, Vice Minister of Culture, the protection of ancient books in China brooks no delay.
“China has a history that dates back to 5,000 years ago, and our brilliant culture has been passed on by these books. We can’t afford to lose these precious heritages, ” said Zhou. “Fortunately, quite a number of them, some 35 million to 40 million copies all told, have been preserved in museums and libraries, as well as by collectors, though their conditions might not be very good. In libraries and museums alone, there are some 27 million ancient copies at present.”
China News Paper
Posted in Stories
Peddlers in Shangxia Get Reprieve
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 7:43 AM by Sifu Smith
Chinanews, Beijing, Mar. 6 – A survey by China Youth Daily shows that 96.5% of respondents say they have witnessed police actions against peddlers, and 70.6% of them take an negative view on such actions.
Ms. Cai, living in Beijing's Zhushikou, misses the peddlers who used to sell breakfasts near her neighborhood. "In the morning I could buy breakfast for my grandchildren, which is cheap and convenient,"she said.
Those who sold fruit and repaired bicycles and other things in the past, can not be found anymore now in the nearby areas. "Now I have to walk a long way to a big shopping mall to repair my shoes or umbrellas repaired," said Cai.
But in Shanghai, things are quite different. Immediately after the Spring Festival holiday, the Shanghai Municipal Government decided to carry out a new measure toward peddlers, allowing them to do business in certain places of the city.
The survey also shows that 55.8% of respondents say yes to Shanghai's measure, and only 31.8% are against it. Just like Ms. Cai, 43.5% of them often buy things from peddlers.
Experts believe that it is necessary to permit peddlers to do business in the city, and it is also a good way to get low-income people employed.
Story from China News Paper
Posted in Stories
New Video Added - Wushu from the 70's
Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 8:05 AM by Sifu Smith
One of the students brought in a video with Chinese Wushu from the 1970's. Many students have not seen clips like these before, so sample clips were reformatted for your downloading.