Wei Jie, Zhang Yanying

claudiamente@hotmail.com

PUNCHES, polite smiles, and a burst of cultural exchange marked the start of the new semester of the Shekou Expats’ Morning School on Friday, when nearly 20 Chinese and expat residents gathered to learn traditional Chinese self-defense at Dexiu Martial Arts Hall.

Organized by the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE), the class opened with a lively demonstration led by Dexiu coaches who framed each move in everyday scenarios. Instructors guided participants through fundamentals — stance, punching, and power generation — before teaching practical escape techniques for sudden street confrontations.

“These techniques are practical and easy to understand,” Irma Egan, from South Africa, said. “They don’t just help you protect yourself, they show the wisdom behind Chinese martial arts.”

An interactive sparring session raised the energy level as attendees paired off to simulate street attack scenarios, testing their newly acquired skills under the supervision of coaches.

Japanese resident Ayumi Seki, who successfully executed a front-throat escape, laughed with excitement afterwards. “I hadn’t realized how much technique there is behind what looks like a simple move. The morning school is more fun and meaningful than I expected.”

Beyond self-defense training, the session served as a window into Chinese culture, letting expat residents experience firsthand the balance of toughness and flexibility at the heart of Chinese martial arts, said a Shekou MSCE staff member.

The nonprofit morning school program will continue in the coming months with community-focused activities, including morning jogs, Zumba classes, workshops on Chinese pastry culture, and introductory sessions on traditional Chinese medicine.