*A Splendid Conversation with the New Director of the CWA’s International Division, Mister Fu Bo
For The Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour Part 44, click here.
Upon arrival back in China in mid-September, I had a lot to do, like meeting old friends after my two year journeys in South Asia. I also had a half-finished proposal for an art exhibit titled “Kung Fu Diplomacy” that I wanted to finish. That took an astonishingly long time as I defined “Kung Fu” broadly and finding and selecting the most powerful art was also challenging. Then, I wanted it in Chinese as well, so translation took some time. Luckily, I have a new friend here who edited the Chinese for me.
Finally, I felt up to speed with that and checked the Chinese Wushu Association website, sent an “Invitation to Interview” letter, did the follow-up phone call critical to the success of any venture, and got an appointment for the next Monday, October 30th.
It was a bonnie morning about 9:00 am when I departed my humble abode in a traditional Hutong house probably built for farmers in a tiny farming village just on the inside of the outside fringes of Beijing, for the Chinese Wushu Association’s headquarter building located in the fashionable downtown Chaoyang District. The high-speed subway system here is incredible and I got there with lightning speed. I could have driven my old gray beast, a slightly aged car, but who needs Monday morning rush hour traffic?
I have looked forward to this interview for years and yet knew almost nothing about the CWA. How odd, I considered. I had a patch of their logo on my various camera bags over the years, and figured it had to be the spectacular launch pad for the incredible International Wushu Federation (IWUF), but that was about all I knew.
Getting to the right address, I asked the security guard at the small complex of buildings which way to the CWA (zhōngguó wǔshù xiéhuì nǎlǐ?), and was pointed to the center building of three. AOK!
Less than 30 seconds later, a young man appeared from a corridor on my left, and presuming he was Mr. Fu Bo, the Director of the CWA’s International Division, I introduced myself. Fortunately, I was right but I knew that already as his non-verbal cues clearly showed this was The Man! (Hint: His big smile gave it away.)
Before heading off to the intended location for an interview, I, following my basically highly curious nature, and wanted to know something about the only two things in the front entrance lobby.
Did the reader also wonder?
How many times have I seen something like that awesome museum piece in the center there and never knew what it was (?), and who first wrote those fabulous words on that really beautiful sign on the wall? Maestro, can we please get a blow-up of that spectacular sign with a little clearer definition please?
Ah. Thank you. Now that’s cool. Not selfish at all! And, it’s cleverly written with “Wu” meaning “martial” there in the center. But, the character for “Wushu” is different from normal. Wushu is usually written: 武术; but the sign above I think might refer to a broader category of military arts, which reminds me a relatively new division has been added to the standard Taolu (routines) and Sanda (fighting) categories of Wushu.
Does everybody know this? Hints of it came from my interview with Grandmaster Liu in Hainan a few years ago who introduced me, and readers of Kung Fu magazine to “Bingdao.” Pretty much has happened since then.
While I was reading through CWA’s internet site, I saw several links at the bottom of the page to fascinating places like:
*The official website of the General Administration of Sport of China
*International Olympic Committee
*All China Sports Federation
*International Wushu Federation &
*Wushu Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sports of the People's Republic of China
Naturally I clicked on the last one first (Wushu Sports Management Center) and found a fascinating article/announcement pertaining to Bingdao, aka Bingdo, as “Dao” is usually pronounced “do,” as in Karate-do, Taekwon-do, Jeet Kune-do and so on in English.
Shìbīng (士兵) incidentally means “soldier.” The “shi” character can mean scholar, gentleman and/or soldier, and the “bing” character can mean “soldier” or “troops.” “Dao,” usually written “Tao” in English dates back to the most ancient of philosophies in China, encapsulated, as if it were possible, in the Tao Te Ching, using the modifying phrase “as if it were possible” given the Dao is mysterious and undefinable! Isn’t that entertaining!?! Personally, I think the Tao Te Ching aka Dàodéjīng its one of the most profound books ever written, for it is most certainly true: The greatest truths cannot be spoken in words.
That article was really an official announcement of a new model for the development of Chinese martial arts in China, and to help Chinese Wushu gain entry to the Olympics. It was dated Dec. 31, 2022.
The following is an excerpt:
Wushu Bingdo Sports is one of the important components of competitive martial arts alongside Wushu Taolu and Wushu Sanda. It is a safe, healthy, simple and cool happy sports project with the concept of physical education, safety, and weapons-shaped equipment competition, and cultivation of emergency problem-solving ability. This is (one of) the best sports to facilitate wushu entry into the educational environment and popularize it in society. It is also one of the key contents of the Wushu Promotion effort established by the Chinese Wushu Association to gain entry into the Olympics…
The announcement article was officially about the signing ceremony of the strategic cooperation agreement that set up this new arrangement.
Though I and presumably some others may find this all quite fascinating, traditionalists might just look the other way (and scoff), which reminds me the greatest divisions between people are not nationalist, religious, or favorite flavor of ice cream, but rather conservative vs. liberal. And in this case, it appears Chinese sport and Wushu officials are taking a liberal viewpoint on what exactly martial arts really are and are pretty sure Bingdo will help Wushu Kung Fu be admitted to the Olympics. Interesting!
OK! Now that we have that large lovely sign figured out more or less, what is that fascinating large antique in front of it? I asked Fu Bo about that and he said it was a replica of the famed “Si Mu Wu” artifact from ancient times and the original design was for use in cooking but later on was used for many ceremonial kinds of events. I asked a few more questions, and he said he’d get back to me on it later.
After our interview Fu Bu was kind enough to send me a link to the National Museum’s description of this ancient treasure. To quote: “The inscription on the inner surface of the belly of the device is ‘Hou Mu Wu’, which is the temple title of Shang king’s mother.” From the Late Shang Dynasty, (1300–1046 BCE) the original design was for use as a cauldron, just as Fu Bo said. He also mentioned “it was a gift from the Anyang people and used for the royal family to show respect to heaven.” That’s a pretty good story and I’m happy I didn’t skip it. Love for mom, and respect for heaven? One cannot just jump over that kind of welcome. Attention to detail is the heart of any and all arts.
What detail of this entrance hallway experience did this writer hold back? Mmm? It was the hugely admired, and much loved, legendary Xu Cai that wrote the motto adorning the front hall of the Chinese Wushu Association: “Originated in China, Wushu belongs to the world.”
With that introduction to the Chinese Wushu Association, Fu Bo led me to our location for the interview. What followed was a very entertaining and informative hour and half interview/conversation.
To cover the foundation of today’s CWA I asked about its founding and discovered in 1984, 12 members first joined: China, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, the US, Thailand and Hong Kong. On October 3rd, 1990 it launched with 38 member nations.
But long before that in September, 1958 the first (post-war) international competition was held in Beijing.
In fact, Fu Bo was so kind as to give me a copy of a book that has the history of CWA in some detail. Though its in Chinese, I’ll be working with friends to learn more about that little recorded period of history; little recorded at least in English.
Moving on, I found out Fu Bo was very recently promoted to his current position as Director of the International Division of the CWA. I also found out the position of CWA President is currently not occupied, suggesting (to this writer at least) some changes are currently underway at CWA HQ. I asked how many people worked there, and he said about 50. That surprised me given the enormous responsibilities they have. I asked about the organizational chart, and he very kindly translated the major Committees: Discipline/ethics, Coaches, Judges, Athletes, Taolu, Sanda, Bingdo, Duan (ranking), traditional arts, International Promotion, Press, Junior and school, and Anti-doping. He also added Science and Research, “industry” that relates to sports in general, a Wushu Administrative Center, Research Institute and holding competitions. OMG!
That’s pretty much for 50 people in this writer’s humble opinion. Just holding one national tournament is a remarkable organizational job, but to coordinate the entire nation’s Wushu training, ranking, events, promotion, and so on seems quite impossible for 50 people to me.
I mentioned that, and he chuckled assuring me “it’s not all handled at the national level, because there are 1) national, 2) provincial and 3) municipal levels, with each playing its part in helping the entire organization function smoothly.”
Given this Silk Road Martial Art Nomad’s puppy-like enthusiasm for all things Silk Road (provided they are simultaneously healthy, ethical and legal), I couldn’t help asking about the International Promotion Committee. That, I found out, only meets once per year, and though before COVID-19 did some things like organize training camps, 3 – 5 or so per year internationally, since then hasn’t done much. One of the constraints I found out is the budget.
It should be noted during this interview, our conversations drifted off into various related directions, and I kind of got the impression some of the changes planned for the CWA might include expansions in some areas. Fu Bo never explicitly stated that, but that was my impression. For those who don’t read Chinese newspapers every day, President Xi has been promoting sports diplomacy and cultural exchanges for years, and even more so, now than before.
This Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour traveler, writer, photographer, promoter, etc. would most certainly welcome CWA’s participation in my journeys as well, something that sounds like it could belong in the category of “International (Wushu) Promotion Committee,” however that little item somehow got overlooked when they made up the budget last year. (Tsk, tsk, ha, ha.) Nevertheless, one can hope for next year. Though CWA has government oversight in some areas, financially it’s an independent non-profit organization.
I asked if the CWA has a demonstration team, like for example the Kukkiwon in South Korea has for Taekwondo, and he answered when needed they formed demonstration teams for different events around the country, though they didn’t have a regular one on standby or anything like that.
Curious about Fu Bu’s background I found out he’s worked with CWA since 2004. Though I refer to him as a “young man,” he’s in his 30s, married and has a couple of children.
I also found out he learned the basics of Wushu Kung Fu many years ago, however is not himself a master or anything like that. I also found out he studied English literature and linguistics in the university, and he is a “Lao Beijinger” which means his family is from Beijing.
Naturally I had to ask if he knew “Lao Pao” (pronounced “Lao Powr!” with a strong down-tone), the fictional character in the movie “Mr. Six” enjoyed by many folk from Beijing (partly because of the heavy use of Beijing slang and pronunciation of words and phrases) and he laughed, saying “no,” which led me to ask if he was a “fuerdai” (second generation wealthy from the economic reforms of Deng Xiaopeng), and found out the answer was also “no,” his father worked in a truck factory.
Given this writer was a teacher in a rather exclusive large, very expensive private school in Beijing for 10 years, I’ve known many fuerdai, and know the rather negative stereotypes associated with them are largely overblown, except in a few comically ridiculous cases. And having worked my way through university sometimes in restaurants, and with brick and stone for several years, I have genuine respect for workers. Salute to them all wherever they may be! Power to the people(!), and all those 1970s – pre-Gen-X, Y and Z beliefs!
Back to almost lunchtime, Monday, October 30th, I moved right along asking if he’d met Li Lien Jie, usually called Jet Li in the west, the official Ambassador of Kung Fu, and found out yes, once a long time ago at his home in Singapore.
Jet Li, incidentally is also a Lao Beijinger. Given its autumn now here in the North Capital (the literal translation of Bei-jing) the nights are getting a bit chilly, but in the far south “winter” is especially nice with cooler weather, and Singapore always has sea breezes to keep it cooler and fresh.
According to an interview published on imdb.com Li said “everything he ever wanted to tell the world can be found in three of his films,” Fearless (2006) that reveals the biggest enemy of a person is himself. Jet Li is also quoted as saying the greatest weapon is a smile, and the greatest power is love. It’s not easy to find many movie stars with those kinds of insights on life. No wonder he’s the Ambassador of Wushu Kung Fu!
Given it was almost lunchtime, there was only one other matter for discussion, with the topic being setting up an appointment so I could meet and interview some of the National team coaches and athletes at Beijing Shichahai Sports School. He mentioned the name of the Sanda coach, and said he’d get back to me, which he did the next day. I followed up on that ASAP, and found out the coach was out of town with his team at a competition, however we tentatively scheduled an appointment for sometime next week.
All good, and that’s a wrap on this interview, except to express heartfelt thanks to Fu Bo, for being a delightful interviewee, as he’s a great conversationalist, has a sense of humor, answered everything very clearly and precisely, and comes across as a sincere nice person. Wow! In other words, the changes that may be coming to the Chinese Wushu Association appear to be off on the right foot! Thank you very much sir!
For The Silk Road Kung Fu Friendship Tour Part 46, click here.
