Martial arts set new physical tone for students

Nearly 600 primary students at Yaqiao Second Nine-year School in Jilin city, Jilin province, have been actively practicing an innovative class-break exercise since the beginning of the semester in September.

"Based on wushu, or Chinese martial arts, the new style of exercise can enrich the content and form of students' physical exercises," said Jia Liansheng, principal assistant at the school. "Wushu not only emphasizes technology but also involves a lot of traditional philosophy and etiquette. Our physical education teachers developed wushu classes and asked students to practice regularly."

Jia said the school invited professional teachers from the city's martial arts association to train the students.

"The exercise has been greatly welcomed by the students," a physical education teacher named Xu Cong said. "They practice hard both at school and after school. Some parents have joined in the activity with their children."

"We also set up a wushu club, holding activities twice a week," he added.