By Louise Ho (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-07 14:51

Learning martial arts seems to have become a passion for local children.

As many as 3,000 children have joined Hong Kong Wushu Culture Centre in Tai O on Lantau Island.

Speaking at the opening ceremony yesterday, Jonathan Choi, chairman of the centre, expressed hope that the centre would be included in the development of south Lantau to make it one of the tourist attractions.

A monk performs martial arts to mark the opening of Hong Kong Shaolin Wushu Culture Centre in Tai O yesterday. [China Daily]

Speaking about the rigours of the training, Chin Pui-yu, the youngest of the group aged between 8 and 11, said it was quite an arduous experience as the session normally took half a day or even a whole day.

Eleven-year-old Gordon Ng, however, holds a different view. "I know training at the Shaolin Temple will be even harder," he said.

Practicing martial arts would boost strength, flexibility and reflexes, Ng said.

Chin said he had to get up early and learn how to fold a quilt.

"Compared to their mainland peers, Hong Kong students are more active. They were always the first to disperse after the class was over," said Wang Meng, a teacher at the centre.

"The students were a bit naughty at the beginning but after two months' training, they are more disciplined now," said Wang, who has been practicing martial arts for 15 years.

He observed that Hong Kong students are physically weaker than their mainland counterparts, but they have the zeal to learn.

"In martial arts, the most important thing is confidence and will power. They are improving," he said.

Wang expressed hope that more Hong Kong children would learn martial arts. "You won't know how good your life is if you haven't experienced hardship," he said.

At the centre, children would practice basics of martial arts. The elderly would practice body healing and attend Zen classes, he added.

While the majority of students were from Hong Kong, some overseas children have also joined the centre during holidays, Wang said.

A 13-year-old Australian boy was among his students.