2004 China Trip: Beijing

by Practical Method on 2007/03/02

This is the text for the 2004 China Trip narration: A Great Wall.

This is the conclusion of our trip to China. So far it has been a wonderful experience in China. The 22 of us came into China through Beijing were met by master Chen Zhonghua in Jinan when we got there.

The Jinan portion was 11 days and was the highlight of the trip. There we participated in the first international Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Symposium at the Shun Geng Shang Zhuang Conference center. The conferences was more an actual learning session. There was no papers and speeches. Close to 100 masters and students came together to learn and exchange on Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method.

We pushed hands with so many people that we cannot even remember any more. We had the good fortune of learning from grandmaster Li Enjiu, Xu Guicheng, Cai Shengye, Chao Xiuzhen, Meng Xianbin, and Liu Xiuwen.

On June 19th, 2004, a grand ceremony was held at the conference center. It was hosted by grandmaster Hong Junsheng’s senior son Hong Youren. The event announces the appointment of master Chen Zhonghua as the International Standard Bearer for the Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method system of Hong Junsheng.

Hong Junsheng’s Standard Bearer Li Enjiu presided over the ceremony. Hong Junsheng’s senior son came from Cangzhou for this special occasion. He issued the official certificate to Chen Zhonghua on behalf of the Hong family. On this historical day, 120 Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method enthusiasts from China and abroad gathered at the second floor of the Shun Geng Shan Zhang International Conference Center in Jinan. Present are: Grandmaster Hong Junsheng’s friend and municipal director of sports Mr. Zhou Lifen, son Mr. Hong Youren, son Mr. Hong Youyi, grandson Hong Sen and Hong Lin and 20 other members of the Hong family, Mr. Li Enjiu, Mr. Xu Guicheng, Mr. Zhan Ding Guo, Mr. Cai Shengye, Mr. Chao Xiuzhen, Mr. Pang Yuzhu, Ms. Liu Xiuwen, Mr. Wang Jinxuan, Mr. Li Shufeng, and Mr. Ha Lezhi. The following day, Mr. Chen Zhonghua and students paid a special visit to Mr. Meng Xianbin, who could not make it to the ceremony the day before.

At the ceremony, Hong Juusheng’s senior son gave a detailed account of Hong’s life. Hong’s 6th son gave an introduction to the Taijiquan of Hong Junsheng. He specifically dispelled the rumors about Hong’s abilities. He expressed his hopes that all disciples of Hong should join forces to promote the art of his father. He then gave a detailed account on how the Hong family selected and authorized Chen Zhonghua as Hong’s International Standard Bearer. Hong Junsheng’s Standard Bearer Li Enjiu gave an account of the master-disciple relationship between Hong Junsheng and Chen Zhonghua.

At the end of the ceremony, Li Enjiu gave a lecture on the positive and negative circles and their usages. Ding Mingye and Richard Johnson assisted Li Enjiu at his lecture. Hong Junsheng’s grandson Hong Sen demonstrated Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Yilu form. Third generation representative Du Lingong demonstrated Cannon Fist form. Participants of this event then had a fierce real competition.

Hong Youren officially bestowed the International Standard Bearer Certificate to Chen Zhonghua

After this historical event in Jinan, we were invited by uncle Chao Xiuzhen to visit He Ze, south of Jinan. It took over five hours to get there as we made a stop in Qufu to visit the hometown of Confucius. The visit to He Ze turned out to be another great even. Master Chao turned the visit into another official celebration of Hong Junsheng’s Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Hong’s first disciple He Shugan was invited as special guest to the event. He made a speech in confirming his support for the appointment of Chen Zhonghua by the Hong family.

At the event, Grandmaster He Shugan, Chao Xiuzhen and Chen Zhonghua demonstrated their versions of Hong’s Taiji. Thirds generation representatives from each of the masters demonstrated their forms.

In this video, you will see the last few days of our trip in China, which were spent in Beijing. Master Chen Zhonghua took the opportunity to send us to take special lessons at the Hunyuan Taiji Center, which is grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang’s school. We received personalized instructions from masters Feng Xiuqian and Sun Zhonghua.

Master Chen Zhonghua also taught and corrected us on the Great Wall. The video concluded with some commends on the teaching of master Chen Zhonghua by students.

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