The Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition kicked off in Beijing Thursday (Mar 30) expecting to select a new icon of the Chinese kung fu after Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

The competition is cosponsored by China's youngest star TV channel Shenzhen star TV and the 1500-year-old Shaolin Temple, regarded as the cradle of the Chinese kung fu.

Shi Xiaoguang, an 8-year-old monk who sat on Russian President Vladimir Putin's shoulder when Putin visited Shaolin Temple last Wednesday, performs at a news conference for the launch of 'The stars of Chinese Kongfu Contest' in Beijing, China March 30, 2006. 108 contestants well-versed in the art of kungfu will be then chosen to act in the teleplay 'Shaolin Temple'.  [nwesphoto]

The six-month activity will be held in six domestic competition zones including Shenzhen, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Shenyang, Chengdu and Shanghai.

At the same time the organizing committee also established five international competition zones in the United States, Germany, Russia, Italy and Australia, said Wang Maoliang, president of Shenzhen Radio, Film and Television Group, stressing that this shows the selection is open to every one in the world who favors the kung fu.

Shi Yongxin, abbot of the Shaolin Temple, said one of the most important goals of the competition is to showcase Chinese kung fu culture and he said it is also a good attempt to develop this cultural legacy and promote it to the world.

The winner of the competition will have chances to play roles in a number of TV series concerning Shaolin Temple and is also possible to take part in a Hollywood movie with the same theme.

Kung fu is a precious piece of legacy in the 5000-year history of China.

In the past, kung fu was usually used to fight the enemies and safeguard the country.

Yet in the peaceful years today, the Chinese kung fu, instead of fading away with the time, has gained great fames in the international movie circle.

Editor: Wing