Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain

Trip to China
- my diary
by Simon Watson

Sunday evening, 29th December

Still no time to rest. After a quick shower we assembled in the foyer for a bus journey to one of Beijing's most famous duck restaurants. Here we were greeted by Professor Li and his wife. Master Li Tian-Ji's daughter, Li De-Fang, and her husband had also arrived. They were leading a second party of Longfei delegates from Tokyo. Master Liu and his son were also in attendance, as were the first Japanese party. Formal speeches were made welcoming all the visitors from overseas. The food was well received and I ate my first deep fried scorpion (a rare delicacy). During the meal I was suddenly overcome with tiredness; it was hours since we left Hertfordshire. BED. Zzzzzzzzz . . . bliss.

Monday morning, 30th December

Up at 06:30, made my dad a cup of tea (really) while he was taking a shower. After breakfast we made our way to the gym where we were to train throughout the visit. When we arrived (a 15 minute walk in freezing temperatures 4 - 14 degees below) we were introduced to the workshop instructors, including Professor Li Deyin teaching 42 combined Taijiquan (International Competition Routine), Madam Li De-Fang teaching the Sun style Taijiquan (Competition Routine), Madam Zong Wei Jie teaching both the Yang and Wu styles of Taijiquan (Competition Routines). Master Liu Qing Zhou was to teach the 24 forms Taijiquan as well as supervising Tui Shou (push hands) sessions. My father and I decided to join the Sun style as we had not studied the routine before and here was a unique opportunity to train with Li Tian-Ji's daughter. After formal introductions, Professor Li's assistant, coach Ma Yi-Fong led the general warm-up after which we split into our respective groups to commence our training. After the three-hour morning session we took off from the gym to a restaurant on the campus. This was to become part of the daily schedule - a good lunch a few beers (tiredness rears its ugly head again).

After lunch back to the gym for two more hours of form training and one hour pushing hands. The lunch break is for two hours so after eight hours we stagger back to the hotel. After a quick shower we meet the Japanese party in the lobby and we are off again.

Monday evening

After a meal on the campus we head to the Chaoyang Theatre. This is located at the centre of Dong San Huan in the Chaoyang district. The theatre has been a centre of attraction for tourists since 1980, with seasonal displays by the Beijing Opera and the Chinese Circus. On this occasion we were treated to some spectacular acrobatics - an amazing array of contortionism, plate spinning, gymnastics, wushu, trick cycling and a lot more - a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Back to the hotel. Sweet dreamszzzzzzzz.

Tuesday morning: New Year's Eve

Early morning start again. We have bought some food supplies from the local supermarket and eat breakfast in the room. We meet our Japanese friends in the lobby at 08:30 and off to the gym for a 09:00 start. It was Professor Li's turn to lead the warm-up. We all played basketball which was great fun and very light hearted before splitting into our various groups for form training. Lunch and a few beers in the same campus restaurant.

The jet lag is receding but to see it in context, when we commence training at 09:00 it is 01:00 back home, so the body is at its lowest ebb. After lunch Professor Li had made arrangements for us to be driven to the Asian games village, accompanied by Coach Ma, to stock up on DVDs and books on Wushu subjects from the martial arts shop. Returned to the gym, continued our form and pushing hands training.

Tuesday evening

In the evening all the Japanese delegates and ourselves were to enjoy a meal in private rooms in a Mongolian restaurant. The food was great. We sampled national dishes and were introduced to a Mongolian liqueur. I took to it a treat and purchased a couple of bottles for the home front. Master Ma was to prove himself a formidable drinking host and took himself to 30 or so present for a personal toast with the Mongolian drink. The object was to empty your glass in one swallow.

My dad thought it an appropriate time to introduce them to his favourite drinking game (King Puff); this was to prove that fun and games have no linguistic barriers. The room was equipped with Karaoke equipment and we were to discover that among our Japanese friends and Chinese hosts were some talented singers. An attempt was made to bring my dad and myself to the microphone. We excused ourselves on account of our lack of Chinese and Japanese. However a huge catalogue of western songs was produced and we obliged with a duet of John Lennon's Imagine.

It was turning out to be a great New Year's Eve. When we returned to the hotel we decided to join some of our Japanese pals to ring in the New Year at the Big Bell Temple.

We travelled with Mr and Mrs Koyiki and Mr and Mrs Tanaka - some of you may recall that all four travelled to Britain for our official inauguration in 1995. Dick trained with many of the Japanese party in the early nineties.

Da Zhong Si (Big Bell Temple) was very busy with many local and foreign visitors all assembled to hear this Yongle (big bell) ring in the New Year. The bell was cast by the order of Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty. With a height of 6.75 meters, a diameter of 3.3 meters, it weighs about 46,500kg, thus gaining the name "The King Bell". It is one of the oldest bells in the world with more than 100 Buddhist Sutra and incantations cast on the inside and outside of the bell's body, made up of over 230,000 Chinese characters.

It was bitterly cold, there had been snow on the ground since our arrival in Beijing and although the sun shone each day it had little effect on the snow. The lakes and rivers were mainly frozen over so we were pleased to hear the bell bring in the New Year. Embrances all round, jump into a cab and back to the hotel.

Don't let the bed bugs bite (only kidding). Zzzzzzzzzz.

Wednesday: New Year's Day 2003

Today was a national holiday, at last a chance to rest, relax and reflect (well deserved). No training today. We have been flat out now for four days against the biological clock. There was some organised activity but we opted to do our own thing. We visited a few of our old haunts and stumbled upon some new ones.

WOW, China has made gigantic strides since I was last here in the early nineties. The country is often referred to as the sleeping dragon, well the dragon is certainly stirring and doing well. China now has the largest GDP in the world; in the two capital cities, Beijing and Shanghai, it is currently 10%.

You could not help noticing an increase in the volume of private cars, mostly Japanese but also a lot of German imports, soon to be joined by a joint venture between the Chinese and British Rover. Everywhere you travel something new has been built or something new is under construction, real estate, flyovers, bridges, roads etc.

China is a most spectacular country. It was nice to take a cappuccino in a Starbucks coffee shop, yet another franchise to add to the omnipresence of McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken. After coffee we stroll along Wang Fujing Street in the heart of Beijing. This is the equivalent of London's Oxford Street and was extremely busy on the bank holiday. We planned to revisit the Beijing Hotel, unaware that it had been entirely refurbished. Still a tourist attraction, this fantastic restoration and landmark of historical significance is not to be missed. It's a tribute to Chinese architectural flair for opulence, marble halls, beautiful restaurants. Here in this socialist society the feel of a colonial past still remains. I had been determined to treat the old man to dinner and found a great Aussie steak restaurant in Beijing.

After a great meal, back to the hotel for an early night and a little more training on the zzzzzzzzzzz's.

Thursday 2nd January 2003

A return to reality after our day off. 09:00 we are back in the gym, Madam Zong Wei Jie will be leading the warm-up session (OUCH!). Coming from a competition background this ex-champion's warm-up was not as conservative as the previous mornings. The exercises included the box splits with the head touching the ground as well as a number of other exacting feats (we thought we were back with the contortionists at the Chaoyang Theatre).

After the warm-ups, once again we divided into our individual groups to practice our forms. By now Dick and I with our group were past the half-way mark of our studies and the aim was to complete the Sun routine by close of play.

This would leave all day Friday for revision. We felt we had gained some additional insights into the Sun style of Taiji.

We also gained some new and fresh insights from our pushing hands with Master Liu, a great character who reminded the assembled delegates that we needed to practice the technique 10,000 times before we could understand the theory (ring any bells?)

The time was passing quickly now as we were fast approaching the main reason for the trip to Beijing. Lunch was followed by our afternoon training and completing the form and the day was rounded off with pushing hands. Fantastic.

Thursday evening

Time is passing so quickly since the day we arrived in China, which now seems like a distant memory. We have crammed so much in to such a small time, met so many new friends, training and played hard. A special surprise is in store for us this evening: Professor Li and his wife have invited us to see the ballet. This is a unique situation: neither Dick nor I have ever been to the ballet and we are to see The Russian Ballet performing Swan Lake in the Great Hall Of The People.

The Great Hall was built in 1959 and occupies 1.72 million square meters, seats 10,000 people and the construction of the building took only 10 months. We both agreed that the ballet and the dancing was quite wonderful. When we left the hall there was a serious problem finding a cab and Professor Li guided us to the Beijing subway to see us off to our hotel. It was bitterly cold with a sharp wind; I have never before experienced such cold. The warmth of the hotel lobby was so welcome.

Fell into bed, off to the Land of Nod. Zzzzzzzzzz.

Friday 3rd January 2003

It was Master Lui Qing Zhou's turn to warm us up. This morning one could detect a feeling of general tiredness, heavy bodies and tired limbs - but that's what warming up is all about.

Although not as athletic as Thursday, it was still a tough workout. After the warm-up, we were all familiar with the routine and took to our respective groups.

As all the groups had completed the forms the whole day was dedicated to revision and individual correction. Madam Li De-Fang was to carry out a small group evaluation after lunch. Lunch was in our usual campus restaurant. However it was cut short as Professor Li had kindly arranged for Coach Ma to escort Dick and I on another shopping expedition.

We travelled away from the centre of town to a martial arts supplier where we were able to avail ourselves of some swords, broadswords and sword tassels.

The shop could supply all the needs of Taiji practitioners, brilliant, but we hope it does not present too many problems with customs.

On our return to the gym we took part in our evaluation and received some corrections, then rehearsals began for tomorrow's important event. Tomorrow was the main reason we were in Beijing, a gathering of great significance to the International Taiji community, the full significance of which I only became aware as the day unfolded.

Saturday 4th January 2003

Yes, today is the day that our trip to China is all about. It was to be a very special day, a commemoration and celebration of the life of Master Li Tian-Ji, an acknowledgement of his enormous and unique contribution to Chinese Wushu, with special reference to Taijiquan and the internal arts.

Although Li Tian-Ji died seven years ago, this celebration had the feel of his 88th birthday rather than a memorial to his passing. All those attending the celebration dinner were given a brochure containing postage stamps issued by the government to honour his memory and work. On the front cover it says:

Li Tian-Ji Lao Shi on the 88th memorial 

of his birth date

Famous Wushu Master

Master Taijiquan Practitioner

Pioneer of new Education

Born the second month 1915. Hebei Province

As a boy he began his training under his father's (Li Yulin) guidance. He also trained with other notable masters including Sun Lutang and Li Yin Lin. In 1931 he graduated from Shandong martial arts academy and after graduation he remained as a teacher and was appointed senior teacher (1938-1949). He and his father established several Taiji research centres and he was acknowledged as North-east China's Taiji Pioneer.

1949 - Appointed lecturer in the martial arts department at the University of Industry and Director for Martial Arts at the Ha Er Bing Martial Arts Association. Chief Coach for North-east China's wushu teams.

1954 - Appointed Chief Coach to the Central Physical Education College.

1957 - Transferred to the research department of the National Wushu Institute. Focussed on the research of competition wushu and organising the rules and regulations to govern competition.

His main achievement: Research into Taijiquan, Xingjiquan, Baguazhang, Wudang and Shaolin Quan, Taijiquan Tuishou. He lectured on all these subjects, wrote books, cultivated and encouraged potential talent in all these fields.

He was the editor of the first batch of Wushu teaching materials including: Simplified Taijiquan, 32 Taijijian, 88 Standardised Yang Style Taijiquan, he was also involved in the compilation of the 48 and 42 forms of Taijiquan as well as the Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun competition routines.

1959 - Chou En Lai (Mao Tse-Tung's first Prime Minister) recommended that Li Tian-Ji visit Japan. This probably sowed the seeds for the success of Taiji in Japan (currently acknowledged as second only to China in practitioners). It also gave rise to the forming of the Taijiquan Chinese Japanese Friendship Association.

1978 - He received the highest accolades awarded to a National Wushu Judge.

1980 - Seconded to the Chinese Physical Education Council.

1985 - Honoured with the title "Pioneer of the new Chinese Physical Education".

1988 - Honoured by the National Wushu Conference for his contribution to Wushu.

1995 - From China's 100 outstanding Wushu masters Li Tian-Ji was judged one of the ten greatest.

(I would like to thank Hing Fing Teh for translating the above from the presentation stamp brochure. There were other achievements not recorded here as they were so numerous. Any mistakes in the transcription are surely mine).

This information says a lot more than I could about this great man and his achievements. Now recognised as the "Father of Modern Chinese Wushu", we can at least feel proud that our Taiji school carries his name "Longfei" (Flying Dragon), that was his martial arts nickname given to him by his father, I understand.

Although a great innovator, Li Tian-Ji had his roots in tradition and his life spanned the transition of the twentieth century. In Japanese culture it is a custom to commemorate the passing away of a relative or someone important. This remembrance has a significance at specific intervals after death - three, seven and thirteen years. Li Tian-Ji passed away in 1996 and some Japanese followers had travelled to honour the great man's memory. Two parties attended, those led by his daughter, Madam Li De-Fang, and those representing the Chinese Japanese Friendship Association. The coach picked us up at our hotel and made its way to the district of Shi Jing Shen in East Beijing. When we arrived at the cemetery we were escorted to Li Tian-Ji's grave and tomb (Ba Bao Shen). There was already a large gathering of family members, friends and students all brought together to pay their respects.

I felt quite privileged to be part of such a special occasion. Dick and I were the only European guests representing Longfei - there must have been over 100 people of Chinese and Japanese nationality.

The sun was shining but it was certainly very cold. There was a six-inch layer of snow covering the cemetery and one of the guests was very kindly serving hot Saki. Each group was escorted to the tomb for a photograph. When we had paid our respects we walked back to the bus for the return journey to our hotel.

After lunch and a short rest we travelled across Beijing to a fine hall with marble floors and rosewood furniture.

It was here that ceremonious demonstrations and speeches were to be made to commemorate the day. All the participants were wearing silk suits.

We were to take part in the demonstrations, but were unaware that the occasion was one of such pomp and circumstance. We thought that the gathering was taking place in the gymnasium where we had been training and completely unprepared we were taken by surprise.

Looking around the hall you could see dignitaries, enthusiasts, athletes, all the delegates from the gym along with our coaches.

There were many well-known Taiji masters present from all the well-known styles: Feng Zhiqiang (Chen stylist and senior student of Chen Fake), Li Bin-Ci (Wu style), Professor Li was of course there as was Master Liu, so there were representatives from the Yang style and the Sun styles.

All these dignitaries were introduced by the master of ceremonies and many speeches were made, unfortunately they were only translated into Japanese so the content was completely lost to us. After the speeches the demonstrations began.

The first part of the programme presented the forms that carry the clear stamp of Li Tian-Ji and the Li family. The 24, 42, 48, 88 and the 32 and 42 sword routines were followed by the Wudang Taiji sword. One form that was presented consisted of 33 forms (I have never seen or heard of before) and like the 42 and 48 it was a synthesis of the major styles.

I was able to discover that Li Tian-Ji choreographed this routine at the request of the Prime Minister (Chou En Lai) in 1961. They then travelled together to Burma to help promote Taijiquan abroad. There were many other demonstrations including Xingiquan, Baguazhang and many external forms of Wushu. A number of experts also demonstrated various forms of push hands. All the major styles were also demonstrated.

Professor Li invited Dick and myself to participate in the demonstrations. Dick was to join three other Yang-style teachers to perform Yang style and I was invited to demonstrate the 42 competition routine. We both went on stage to demonstrate the two-man Sanshou routine which was quite nerve racking as we were the only persons performing. However we performed well without a hitch and felt honoured and privileged to have been invited.

It was interesting to see the difference in the Yang stylists performing with Dick. One of the performers was a former student of Li Tian-Ji but I was unable to obtain his name. He had earlier addressed the audience and I was able to learn that he attributed his recovery from a nervous breakdown to Taijiquan and his teacher, Master Li. This was some 30 years ago and he now has 100,000 student/members and a chain of 80 classes or schools (my interpreter's Chinese to Japanese to English could not be clear on this point).

During the meeting I spied the familiar friendly face of Professor Tsao. Along with Professor Li's daughter Faye Yip (Li Hui), I learned the Chen-style competition routine with him way back in 1991. Dick also met many old acquaintances and coaches from the past.

The afternoon and early evening brought many memorable demonstrations, professional video cameras were engaged to capture the whole show and we hope to obtain a copy in the future.

Saturday evening

Saturday evening was to be the culmination of a great day. It's only on reflection that one can appreciate its full significance: a memory to be treasured.

We travelled to a banquet hall directly from the demonstration. Once again we were caught out. At the 150 sit-down dinner Dick and I appeared to be the only two not in dinner party attire. However it did not stop the enjoyment.

Master Ma was in good form touring the banquet hall and toasting all and sundry. On this occasion everybody joined in, including ourselves. (This is obviously a great custom and a lot of fun).

There were several more official speakers after which we were all presented with a decorative folder containing the official postage stamps commemorating the life of Li Tian-Ji. Suddenly the party was all over, we said our goodbyes to friends old and new and we were on our way back to the hotel with the Japanese party representing the Chinese Japanese Taijiquan Friendship Association.

Tomorrow it's back to England.

Simon Watson

Image gallery - China 2003

Back to contents