STORY: An Italian's love on Chinese martial arts
SHOOTING TIME: July 24, 2024
DATELINE: July 31, 2024
LENGTH: 0:02:05
LOCATION: YANTAI, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the training
2. SOUNDBITE 1-3 (English): MATTEO BUFFA, Martial arts enthusiast from Italy

STORYLINE:

Matteo Buffa, a martial arts enthusiast from Italy, has been studying Chinese martial arts for nearly 30 years.

The 43-year-old Italian is a teacher specializing in history and philosophy.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MATTEO BUFFA, Martial arts enthusiast from Italy
"I started to study Wushu in Italy in a local school in my town. Then I think that, for a learner, if you need to learn Wushu very well, you need to go to China. So, the first time that I came to China was in 2006. From 2006, I normally came to China every year to practice Wushu with my master. I like the traditional Chinese culture, language, music, medicine and also philosophy."

Under his influence, his wife and daughter have also become fans of Chinese martial arts.

In 2011, Buffa started to learn and practice Six-harmony Mantis Boxing, a traditional Chinese boxing. In this July, he officially became a disciple of Zhang Daojin, the seventh-generation inheritor of the Six-harmony Mantis Boxing.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MATTEO BUFFA, Martial arts enthusiast from Italy
"When I need something, I ask my Wushu friends (for help). It's like a big family. So, it's a good feeling."

Buffa believes that Chinese martial arts play a crucial role in fostering cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): MATTEO BUFFA, Martial arts enthusiast from Italy
"Wushu is one way that connects people in the Six-harmony Mantis Boxing family. There are a lot of people from different countries. Wushu is a good way to connect these different cultures."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yantai, China.
(XHTV)