Shi Xiaolong aka Kung Fu Prince aka Ashton Chen

[GeneChing]

We've actually done a lot with Xiaolong. I've been remiss in posting a thread devoted to him here.

Shaolin Masters Keeping the Faith by Gigi Oh and Gene Ching (2008 November/December cover story)

The Other "Little Dragon" Shaolin Temple's Superstar, Child Prodigy Shi Xiaolong By Gene Ching (2000 March)

In the Dragon's Den: Grandmaster Chen Tongshan and his Superstar Son, the Little Dragon Shi Xiaolong By Gene Ching (November/December SHAOLIN SPECIAL 2003)

He's mentioned in some of my blogs:

Shaolin Trips - Episode Two: Reigning in at the Brink of the Precipice

Shaolin Trips - Episode Three: Resting on a Pillow

Shaolin Trips: Episode 4 - A Hero Watching the Formation: Chapter Six: Xingqisan (Wednesday)

Shaolin Trips: Flashback

I've watched him grow up. Given all this coverage, he's also in my book Shaolin Trips.

Updated: 2011-07-11 17:15
'Kung Fu Prince' Ashton to star in disaster movie


Kung fu actor Ashton Chen, better known by his Chinese name Shi Xiaolong.[Photo/CRIENGLISH]

The production team of the Sino-Australian 3-D disaster movie, "Bait", recently gathered in Beijing. It has been announced that China's "Kung Fu Prince" Ashton Chen will play a leading role in the movie.

Director of "Resident Evil: Extinction", Russell Mulcahy, joined forces with the famous special-effects team led by Kimble Rendall to take charge of the film, while Ross Emery, cinematographer for "Superman Returns" and "The Matrix", takes charge of the camera.

"Bait" has finished shooting in Australia, and is due to switch location to China, with filming scheduled to begin soon.

Ashton Chen, who portrays a member of the China International Search and Rescue Team in the movie, is set to show off his kung fu skills while carrying out daring rescue attempts. He is also set to be involved in an on-screen romance with new star Zhao Xin.

The movie revolves around a tsunami which occurs off the Gold Coast of Australia, bringing with it a swarm of blood thirsty sharks.

2012 is the expected release date.

[GeneChing]

Martial arts school death not suspicious
chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2019-04-17 10:12


A photo of the 7-year-old girl surnamed Deng. [Photo/Red Star News]

An investigation team has ruled out beating or other suspicious circumstances as the cause of death for a seven-year-old girl who died at a martial arts school in Dengfeng, Central China's Henan province, two days after she enrolled, CCTV has reported.

The conclusion comes after forensic experts from Dengfeng and Zhengzhou conducted an examination of the girl's remains and public security carried out an investigation at the school.

The girl's parents had no objection to the findings, and the case will not be registered as a criminal case.

The girl's parents sent her to Xiaolong Martial Arts School on Sunday. At 9:40 am on Tuesday she fell to the ground during a class break and died before an ambulance could reach the scene.

According to previous media reports, the girl's father said there were kick marks on her stomach when he saw her remains at the mortuary.

"The surveillance camera was far from my daughter. It seems like someone pushed and kicked her," Deng said after watching a video clip obtained from the school.

Public information shows that Xiaolong Martial Arts School's legal representative is Chen Tongshan, father of actor Shi Xiaolong.

The school has more than 12,000 students and over 2,000 teachers.

THREADS:
Shi Xiaolong
Martial Arts Deaths

Also noteworthy - Grandmaster Chen Tongshan was featured on our 2008 NOV+DEC cover story: Shaolin Masters Keeping the Faith so I copied this to our Nov+Dec 2008 thread too.

[GeneChing]

Former Child Star Shi Xiao Long’s Dad Is A Billionaire; Sent Him To A Temple To Learn Martial Arts When He Was Just 2

Former Child Star Shi Xiao Long’s Dad Is A Billionaire; Sent Him To A Temple To Learn Martial Arts When He Was Just 2
Not many people know that Xiao Long, who starred alongside the late Ng Man Tat in Shaolin Popey II: Messy Temple at the age of six, is from such a wealthy family.
BY TAMMI TAN
Published November 15, 2021
Updated November 20, 2021

When it comes to celebs who were lucky enough to be born into wealth and privilege, most of us already know about the usual suspects like Wu Chun, Raymond Lam, and Nathan Hartono.

As it turns out, Chinese actor and former child star Shi Xiao Long, whose past roles include 1994’s Shaolin Popey II: Messy Temple and 1995’s Ten Brothers, is also part of the real-life Crazy Rich Asians club.

1 of 5 Shi Xiao Long starred in Shaolin Popey II with the late Ng Man Tat

2 of 5 Xiao Long with Sharla Cheung and another child star, Hao Shao Wen, in Ten Brothers
Although the 33-year-old, whose real name is Ashton Chen Xiaolong, rarely opens up about his family in public, it’s been reported that his father Chen Tongshan is a billionaire CEO who owns nine companies that deal in film and television production, F&B, and more.

However, Xiaolong had a tough upbringing and was far from spoilt.

When he was just two, his father, who was also the principal of a martial arts school, sent him to the Shaolin Temple to become a disciple of Shi Yongxin, the current abbot of the famed monastery.

There, Xiaolong learned all kinds of traditional martial arts techniques, such as the Shaolin Tong Bei Quan, Drunken Sword, and Five-element Boxing.

No wonder he was able to star in a martial arts film by the time he was six years old.


3 of 5 He’s still got it

4 of 5 He’s also more into golf these days
In addition to his prominent parentage, Xiaolong had a powerful godfather, Chinese producer Wu Dun, who is credited with helping him to enjoy a smooth-sailing career as a child actor.

A former member of the United Bamboo Gang (Taiwan’s largest triad), Wu Dun is now the president of Chang Hong Channel Films & Video Co. and is said to have launched the careers of stars like Jimmy Lin, Alyssa Chia, and Vivian Hsu.


5 of 5 Needless to say, netizens were really impressed by Xiaolong’s background
Photos: IMDb, Shi Xiao Long/Weibo

Never mind that his dad's school is one of the top three largest at Shaolin.

[GeneChing]

So Nostalgic! Shi Xiao Long Was The Best Man At His Shaolin Popeye Co-star Hao Shao Wen’s Wedding
How cute is it that they remained close after starring in the 1994 movie?
Ilsa Chan

16 May 2023 at 11:46

Looks like former child star Hao Shao Wen, 33, could not wait to get married.

After a one-year engagement, the Taiwanese actor tied the knot with Chinese make-up artist Lin Ningrui, yesterday (May 15) in Hangzhou.

In the afternoon, Shao Wen took to Weibo to share pics from their wedding earlier in the day.

"Getting married to Lin Ningrui. Is it too early to say ‘I do’?" he captioned the post.


Shao Wen with his bride and his groomsmen, including best man Xiao Long
The wedding appeared to take place in a resort, and Shao Wen was smartly dressed in a shirt and tie to fetch the bride, who was in a breezy dress. He later changed into a more casual striped shirt.

He also posted pics from their wedding banquet at night.

Besides photos of the newlyweds, there were also snaps of Shao Wen with family as well as his groomsmen.

Among them was a familiar face, fellow former child star Shi Xiao Long, 35.

The Chinese actor, who starred alongside Hao Wen in 1994 kungfu comedy Shaolin Popeye, and its spin-off Shaolin Popeye II: Messy Temple, was his best man.

Not only did he help shoot videos of the couple, he also hosted the tea ceremony.


Taking his best man duties seriously
Fans were thrilled to see the pair reunited and many commented that it brought back childhood memories.

There were comments like “So nostalgic!”, "I watched a lot of their movies when I was young", "It's great, they can still be good friends after so many years", and "So blissful to have such a good childhood friend as your best man and wife who loves you so much. Best wishes."


The bromance is strong
Some also remarked that they don’t seem to have changed, having grown up “proportionally”, physique-wise.

There were also netizens who commented that it’s a pity Hong Kong comedian Ng Man Tat, who starred alongside them in the films, has passed away and wasn’t there to complete the reunion.


The boys with Ng Man Tat in Shaolin Popeye
Photos: Hao Shao Wen/Weibo

Sweet story