NPC deputy vitalizes her village through kungfu

The picturesque village of Jindouyang in Kangcuo She ethnic township of Fuan city in East China's Fujian province is hailed as hometown of She ethnic martial arts.

From young children to elderly, most residents in the village practice the shezuquan, She boxing, is a deeply ingrained martial art among the She ethnic group.

Zhong Tuanyu, Party chief of the village and a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), is proud of this tradition and has been a beacon for preserving the rich heritage of She martial arts.

A standout female inheritor of She boxing, Zhong learned the art from her uncle when she was a child. Since then, she has collected numerous accolades in provincial, national and international martial arts competitions.

Committed to preserving and promoting this intangible cultural heritage, Zhong envisions expanding the reach of She boxing beyond the village, intertwining martial arts with rural vitalization efforts.

Originating in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), She boxing has a 300-year history and is listed in the fourth batch of intangible cultural heritage in Fujian.

"She boxing is the treasure of our village. I feel the responsibility to pass it on and promote its future development," Zhong said.

Beyond martial arts, Zhong actively engages in initiatives to enhance the influence of She ethnic culture. By fostering partnership between Jindouyang village and local schools, she has established She martial arts classes and led the compilation of textbooks on traditional She martial arts routines. These efforts blend martial arts practice with elements of sports and dance, enriching the martial arts experience.

She also spearheads projects that integrate intangible cultural heritage experiences with parent-child activities to create a martial arts-themed retreat village that harmonizes leisure, wellness and rural tourism. This innovative model intertwines the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors, translating rural vitalization into tangible results.

As an NPC deputy, Zhong remains dedicated to addressing pressing issues in her community. From improving elderly care facilities to pushing forward infrastructure development in tea-growing areas, she tirelessly advocates for the wellbeing of her fellow villagers.

As a female NPC deputy from the She ethnic group, Zhong emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of minority groups and safeguarding the rights of women and children.

"It's my duty to speak for ethnic minority populations and actively support the protection of the rights and interests of women and children," she said.

During the second session of the 14th NPC in this March, Zhong submitted suggestions on the development of contiguous areas inhabited by people of She ethnic group, the healthy growth of minors and child medication safety.

Zhong said she will continue to dedicate herself to preserving the She culture and promoting the prosperity of her village.

Su Jingjing and Ding Zizhe contributed to this story.