Chongqing - December 20 marked the 25th anniversary of Macao' return to the motherland. Jia Rui, a young man who has lived in Chongqing for over five years, gathered with fellow Macao residents to commemorate this historic occasion.
"Chinese Dream, Chongqing-Macao Friendship" 2nd Chongqing-Macao Youth Calligraphy and Photography Exhibition took place in Chongqing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. (Photo/Jia Rui)
Jia, once a competitive martial artist from Macao, represented the region multiple times in international competitions, winning numerous medals and bringing glory to his homeland. After retiring, his passion for martial arts remained undiminished. He innovatively merged poetry with martial arts, creating "Poetry Kung Fu," a unique blend that allows young people to grow both physically and intellectually through the dual joys of martial arts and literature.
Through a twist of fate, Jia brought this unique cultural initiative to Chongqing, allowing local youth to learn martial arts and bridging cultural exchange between the two cities. This enduring friendship continues to flow as persistently as the Yangtze River.
Jia Rui innovatively merged poetry with martial arts, creating "Poetry Kung Fu," a unique blend that allows young people to grow both physically and intellectually through the dual joys of martial arts and literature. (Photo/Jia Rui)
The children have yet to arrive at Jia's martial arts academy, and he is calmly organizing the weapons on the rack. Despite his retirement, he still exudes the disciplined energy of a martial artist. His movements are measured, and his presence commands respect.
Born in the 1980s, Jia began practicing martial arts at the age of seven and started his professional career as a martial artist at 17. His hard work soon paid off on the international stage, where he earned acclaim in a variety of competitions.
At the 2005 Macao East Asian Games, Jia won the gold medal in Men's Changquan and silver in Men's Weaponry All-Round. He dominated the sport in subsequent competitions, including the 2009 Hong Kong East Asian Games and the 2013 Tianjin East Asian Games, achieving a three-time winning streak in Men's Changquan and a gold medal in Men's Weaponry All-Round.
"The 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games were particularly meaningful to me. I won the Men's Weaponry All-Round Championship, which was a huge personal recognition," Jia recalled, noting that his victory also marked Macao's first-ever gold medal at the Asian Games.
Throughout his career, Jia won over 30 medals in international competitions. In 2013, the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Government awarded him the "Silver Lotus Honorary Medal."
"Poetry Kung Fu"
After retiring from competitive sports following the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Jia was determined to continue his martial arts journey, but with a new mission: to pass on his love for martial arts while incorporating new ideas. Combining his passions for martial arts and calligraphy, he founded "Poetry Kung Fu," a brand that fuses traditional Chinese poetry with martial arts training.
Jia Rui founded "Poetry Kung Fu," a brand that fuses traditional Chinese poetry with martial arts training. (Photo/Jia Rui)
At first glance, poetry and kung fu might seem to be worlds apart. However, Jia explained, "In traditional martial arts, there's a concept called 'quanjian,' or martial chants, which accompany movements. These chants are closely linked to poetry. Replacing chants with poetry can connect martial arts with literary tradition, helping students learn martial techniques and poetry simultaneously."
His teaching materials, such as his "Poetry Kung Fu" textbook, feature comic-style illustrations that pair martial arts movements with classical poetry, offering a fun and creative way for students to learn both martial arts and poetry.
Thanks to Jia's efforts, "Poetry Kung Fu" gained popularity among young people in Macao. It is now taught in over twenty schools across the region. Through this process, Jia also became deeply involved in cultural exchange activities between the Chinese mainland and Macao. He hopes to share this unique practice with even more youth in the future.
Bridging two cultures
In 2018, Jia joined the Chongqing Youth Federation. As his wife is from Chongqing, he chose the city as a base to expand his cultural initiative. His "Poetry Kung Fu" courses have now spread to 11 provinces across China with remarkable success. The program not only introduces traditional Chinese culture to a broader audience but also instills cultural confidence in young people, helping them develop a sense of cultural identity and pride.
Since moving to Chongqing, Jia has taken on a new role. In 2023, he co-founded the first Chongqing-Macao CPPCC Work Studio. The studio serves as a significant platform for cultural exchange, hosting youth art exhibitions, student exchange discussions, and calligraphy exhibitions.
Jia Rui co-founded the first Chongqing-Macao CPPCC Work Studio. (Photo/Jia Rui)
Jia believes in the power of cultural exchange to bridge the gap between the two cities. "Chongqing people love spicy food, which mirrors their direct and passionate personalities, while Macao residents prefer lighter flavors. Despite the differences in culinary cultures, both cities share a spirit of inclusivity," he said.
Looking ahead, Jia is optimistic about the future. He hopes to continue leveraging his influence to promote exchanges and cooperation between the youth of Chongqing and Macao, facilitating the integration of resources from both cities to foster long-lasting friendship and development.