Good Example in the Martial Art Field
----86 years of Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association

    The first Chinwoo Gymnastic Association was founded in Shanghai in 1909 by the national hero Huo Yuanjia who was famous for his MiZong Quan, together with other four patriotic youths including Chen Gongzhe, Chen Tiesheng, Lu Weichang and Rao Chanbo. They aimed to remove China’s shameful record and promote the martial art spirit. In 1910, Chinwoo Gymnastic Association changed its name into Chinwoo Athletic Association(CAA) and this name has been used until now.
    Chinwoo Athletic Association is a folk traditional cultural organization, based on the martial art techniques and ethic, combing with physical training, music, drama, painting and calligraphy. In the past, CAA devoted itself to saving and revitalizing the Chinese nation, which sent shock waves through China. Mr. Sun Yet-san had presented a handwriting of “Martial Art Spirit” to CAA. CAA’s tenet is “letting our country and people be powerful”, which received positive response in the Chinese community. In the next few years, several local Chinwoo Athletic Associations were founded around China and in Southeast Asia, which became the major communities during the Chinese people in the world. As a result, “Martial Art Spirit” has become the symbol of patriotism.
    Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association was founded in Foshan Qing Ping Theater on July 10th, 1921.
    In 1921, some martial art couches from Shanghai Chinwoo Athletic Association were invited to teach Chinwoo Quan、Eagle Claw Quan、Mantis Quan、LuoHan Quan、TieSha Quan in Foshan. Therefore, the northern martial art was handed on to the south.
    In 1928, Taijiquan was taught for the first time in the Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association. From that on, Taijiquan was rooted in Foshan and beared fruits.
    The present Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association was completed in 1935, located in the Zhongshan Park, NO.12 Hebin Road. It’s a historical and cultural site under government protection. In 1986, Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association was resumed. It is a social community with the status of an independent legal entity, which is recorded in the Civil Administration Bureau. From that on, all genres of martial art from around China began to gather here.
    In 1997, Chinwoo Wing Chun Research Institute was founded, gathering main genres of Wing Chun in Foshan.
    In 2001, Chinwoo Hong Quan Research Institute was founded, carrying forward predecessors’ martial art,liked HuangFeihong’s.
    In July 2003, Foshan Chinwoo Athletic Association (FCAA) official website (www.fschinwoo.com) was opened, making FCAA much more international. Both Chinese and foreigners communicate and learn skills though the website.
    In August 2004, FCAA held “Foshan Chinwoo Traditional Martial Art Competition”. This competition covered all kinds of popular traditional martial art in Foshan—Guangzhou area. It will be held every two years, becoming a famous brand in Foshan.
    In 2005, Chinwoo Performing Group was set up, giving performances around China. It has been to Guangxi Province, Hunan Province, Jiangsu Province, Fujian Province, and Sichuan Province and so on, with the goal of industrialization.
    In February 2006, members of FCAA captured a gangster using Foshan martial art, helping uncover a criminal gang. After this case, FCAA cooperated with Foshan Police to build safe communities, which was a pioneer in China. In September, FCAA delivered “White Book of Foshan Wing Chun development”, greatly promoting Foshan Wing Chun. In October, FCAA held 85 anniversaries celebration and a banquet in the open air. There were 185 feasts on that night. More than 2000 people from around the world were invited, which created a sensation in the martial art field.
    In the Spring Festival in 2007, FCAA put forward “New Errantry Spirit” formally: protect and preserve national interests, stand to laws and ethics, be ready to help others; inherit traditional culture, develop martial art spirit; fight for the cause of justice, create an equal and harmonious atmosphere. FCAA, such a patriotic organization, keeps pace with times, becoming a world famous name card of Chinese martial art.
    In March 2007, Chinwoo Tao Jie Girl’s School and Chinese Martial Art Institute were resumed, restoring to the advanced state of researching and teaching martial art.
    In August 2007, FCAA holds the 1st Wing Chun Communication Conference “The Home of Wing Chun”. Representatives of different martial art groups around China sign together on 2007 World Wing Chun Foshan Declaration. This big event initiates new times of Foshan martial art, and takes a big step towards the world martial art centre.
    Nowadays, FCAA has been an example of martial art in Lingnan Area. Its idea of combining competition and cooperation is greatly different from other commercial gymnasium for martial art. FCAA is famous in the Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao. A well-known saying goes that there is the Shaolin Monastery in the north, and there is a Chinwoo Athletic Association in the south. FCAA has been chosen through public appraisal as an excellent organization for many years, becoming one symbol of Foshan culture. In the 21st century, FACC will make great effort to pass down Chinese fine traditional culture, promote the industrialization and make bigger contribution to the development of martial art.

( English Translator: Mrs. Micky Lu )