9th Int’l Shaolin Wushu Festival held in Zhengzhou

The 9th International Shaolin Wushu Festival opening ceremony was held in Zhengzhou City, central China's Henan Province, on Oct. 21, 2012. The festival will last five days, and will include activities such as a welcoming ceremony, Wushu competitions, Wushu seminars and a closing ceremony.

195 Wushu teams with 1,500 athletes from 73 countries and regions will participate in this event, said Wang Zhe, deputy director of the festival organizing committee, at a press conference held on Oct. 21, 2012. He also emphasized that the festival was themed "Making Friends Through Wushu" and "Expanding Foreign Exchanges, Boosting Economic Development."

China.org.cn learned that Zhengzhou has successfully hosted eight International Shaolin Wushu Festivals and two World Traditional Wushu Festivals, where international Wushu masters competed with and learned from each other, and enjoyed the spirit of Wushu. The festivals promoted exchanges and integration of sports, culture, and economy between China and other countries, and enhanced exchanges and dialogue between competitors.

Mr. Wang told China.org.cn that the festival is significant because it has made positive contributions to the economic and social development of Zhengzhou City. The festival will promote the popularization of martial arts across the world, and expand Zhengzhou's reputation and influence in the international arena.