TIANJIN - The opening ceremony of the World Chin Woo martial arts championship and cultural festival took place here on Tuesday, commemorating martial artist Huo Yuan Chia, and helping to spread martial arts culture and promote the spread of Chin Woo spirit.

A key figure in Chinese martial arts, Huo Yuan Chia was born in Tianjin in 1868. He founded the Chin Woo Athletic Association in 1910 and advocated the spirit of "patriotism, self-cultivation, justice, and helpfulness", which remain among the key tenets of martial arts today.

Attracting more than 600 martial arts lovers from over 30 countries and regions, Tuesday's event included martial arts competitions, divine liturgy and stage plays.

George Guo, chief Wushu instructor from New Zealand's Chin Woo athletic association, led five of his students to take part in the event. "I hope they can truly understand the 'Chin Woo spirit' in China," said Guo, who has been practicing martial arts since childhood. Over a period of two decades, he has taught over 1,000 martial arts students in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

Mukund Ramesh, from the USA Chin Woo Federation, has been practicing martial arts for 10 years. This is the fourth time he has come to China to exchange Chin Woo culture. "I study martial arts to keep fit and I hope that my body can be as strong as the shield printed on our association flag." he said, adding that kung fu, tai chi and other martial arts are very popular in the US.

Meanwhile, Chen Yadong, vice president of the New South Wales Chin Woo association in Australia, recently entered the 15th World Chin Woo martial arts and culture carnival held in China's eastern province of Zhejiang, winning eight gold medals and nine silver medals. Chen said how proud he was of this result, adding that Chinese martial arts and its associated history and culture are becoming increasingly popular among Australian people.