On the evening of 30 August, a reception for the UK premiere of the dance drama Wing Chun by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater was held at the Sadler's Wells in London. Chinese Ambassador to the UK H.E. Zheng Zeguang and his wife Madam Hua Mei attended the event and watched the performance at invitation. Zeng Xianglai, Executive Vice President of Shenzhen International Cultural Exchange Association, Feng Shuangbai, Chairman of the Chinese Dancers Association, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles KCMG LVO, Chair of China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), Peter Burnett OBE BBS, Chief Executive of CBBC, and representatives from the European Tour Operators Association, British art schools and various sectors of British society also attended the event.
Ambassador Zheng noted in his remarks that martial arts are important treasures of the Chinese culture. Mr Yip Man, a kung fu grandmaster from China’s Guangdong province, helped to bring the Wing Chun style of martial arts, which has been passed down through generations and earned global renown, to today’s height. The practitioners of Chinese martial arts aim for physical strength, self-defense and keeping peace. What they are after is not only fighting techniques, but also noble character. This particular dance drama will reproduce Yip Man’s mastery over Wing Chun and his heroic life, and through that, demonstrate the innovation of Chinese martial arts and Chinese culture.
The Ambassador pointed out that Shenzhen is at the forefront of China's reform and opening up and technological innovation. Nowadays, the city is also building itself into a leader of culture. In March this year, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra brought performances to eight British cities. Not long ago, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra staged nine shows in seven Chinese cities including Shenzhen. Both tours were extremely successful. Since its debut in Shenzhen two years ago, Wing Chun has been performed nearly 200 times in China and abroad and won wide acclaim. Its performances in London will help UK audience better understand the heritage and innovation of Chinese martial arts and Chinese culture, and the ideals and values of peace, inclusiveness and harmony championed by China.
The Ambassador noted that during their recent phone call, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Keir Starmer both emphasised the need to build a long-term constructive China-UK relationship based on mutual respect, enhanced dialogue and engagement, and closer exchanges and cooperation. Cultural exchange is a key component of China-UK relations. The Chinese Embassy will work more closely with all sectors to support more cultural events, and make unremitting efforts to deepen the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
Wing Chun, produced by the Shenzhen International Cultural Exchange Association and Shenzhen Bureau of Culture, Media, Tourism, and Sports, and presented by the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theater, features two storylines in parallel, depicting ordinary people pursuing their dreams through the perspective of a film crew, and the legendary life of Yip Man. The performance is both grand and subtle, blending in an creative way the beauty of dance and martial arts to showcase the profoundness of Chinese martial arts and Chinese culture.
