The 2018 Overseas Chinese Youths “Root-seeking” Chinese Martial Arts Camp opened in Changsha on Dec. 17. One hundred and twenty Chinese youths from Malaysia and Indonesia began to study Chinese martial arts, such as boxing, sword and Kungfu fan, for half a month.

"Chinese martial arts is mysterious and legendary for those Chinese teenagers living abroad and far away from their ancestors’ hometowns. Through the martial arts movies that are popular all over the world, they get the impression of the Chinese martial arts: a combination of strength and softness. Their curiosity was therefore aroused,” said Su Yaoyuan, a leader of the Malaysian Association of Students studying in China. He also said that the overseas Chinese teenagers were particularly interested in this tour.

A 14-year-old girl from Indonesia called Liang Jiafei, introduced in fluent Chinese her Kungfu idols, such as Jet Li, Jackie Chen, Donnie Yen, and Louis Fan. She said with excitement, “The Chinese martial arts enjoy complicated movements. They are so cool. I hope to learn the authentic martial arts during this tour.”

Zhang Weijun, age 18, from Malaysia, wants to learn nunchakus and boxing the best. She said from a TV program, she knew a story about an overseas Chinese youth in Britain, who saved dozens of lives with Chinese Kungfu. “Kungfu is so powerful," she exclaimed. She wants to learn Kungfu to be ready to help those in need like that boy.

The International College of Chinese Language and Culture at Hunan Normal University has been granted as a "Chinese Language and Culture Education Base" by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. Since 2003, it has held nearly 40 "root-seeking" summer and winter camps. A large number of Chinese culture and language teachers with bachelor’s degrees have also been trained to teach overseas.

Source: en.changsha.gov.cn