Wushu masters to meet in Macau in August

Six Chinese Wushu masters accepted an invitation from the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, to participate in the Wushu Masters Challenge, which will take place from August 11 to 14.
The four-day challenge was announced during an event held at the Macau Tower last week. The event included a variety of Wushu activities, ranging from the traditional Wushu performances to lion dance performances. A Wushu forum will be held, as well as a competition featuring Chinese and Western Wushu Masters Extravaganza and Taolu, the latter a Wushu discipline that involves martial arts patterns and maneuvers.
The activities will be held in various locations across Macau, such as  Tap Seac Square, the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and  Senado Square.
Tam explained that the event has been strongly supported by many different companies. “Everyone within the Wushu field initially showed their support to the event [when the Sports Bureau brought up the idea of organizing the aforementioned activities], and everyone in the tourism industry also supports it,” Tam said.
He added that both local and mainland martial arts groups have considered Macau as a platform from which to promote and spread different types of Chinese martial arts across the globe.
Tam stated his belief that the event will promote Macau’s cultural industry. “What Macau wants [through the Wushu event] is to help local artists develop their products and their works of art,” explained Tam. “I believe that all things in combination will work to yield successful results.”
Tam pointed out that the event is not about teaching people how to fight. “We hope that our residents can learn this martial art, to exercise along with its practice. It is very important to learn the Wushu philosophy,” Tam declared.
After having received the invitations at the event yesterday, the six masters performed their own martial art pieces to the public. The performances featured Taiji, Nunchaku and Wing Chun.  Staff reporter