Hundreds of students perform martial arts gymnastics in Beijing

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Though Chinese martial arts gained worldwide fame thanks to icons like Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, the practice has a very long history.

And amid a trend in the nation to rejuvenate this traditional Chinese art, a martial arts gymnastics showcase was held Friday at the National Olympic Sports Center for International Children's Day.

This student martial arts gymnastics display is co-organized by the China National Working Committee on Care for Next Generation and the General Administration of Sports of China.

A rousing lion dance performance to open the event /CGTN Photo

Nearly a thousand children from 17 kindergartens and elementary schools from five Chinese cities and provinces attended the display. They were divided into two phalanxes, with the kindergarten group performing a set titled "Chinese Martial Arts Gymnastics," and the elementary school students performing "The Red Sun Rises from the East."

“The purpose of this activity is to enable kids to get to know traditional Chinese culture, to learn the values of our ancestors which weighted both intelligence and physical courage. The process of martial arts training can also increase their health and physical strength and let more children learn the charm and spirit of martial arts,” said Wang Tianming, the event's organizer and choreographer.

Students performing martial arts /CGTN Photo

This is part of a larger event that involves more than a million children from around China.

On the morning of May 30, over a million children in 160 cities showcased their martial arts moves at the same time, in celebration of International Children's Day.

"Our kindergarten has been involved in martial arts training for four to five years. Martial arts has many functions," said Zhuang Daoyong, martial arts coach of Beichen Fudi kindergarten.

"First, it brings happiness to the kids. Practicing it can strengthen their body. And it can raise their ability of self-protection, for example, how to buffer or avoid possible damage when falling down. Practicing martial arts can also help build up their confidence, especially performing moves on a big stage like this,” Zhuang added.

This showcase also displays how martial arts education has been fruitful among China's younger generation.

Martial arts is a method of both self-defense and physical exercise. It is among the traditions that Chinese people are most proud of. This massive display of martial arts gymnastics is showing that the next generation of Chinese will cherish this tradition and carry it forward.