Roseann Lake invites a Jiu-Jitsu professor and a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promoter in Beijing to discuss martial arts in China. They reveal MMA's curious history in China,  while also discussing vital techniques and demonstrating their favorite moves.

Roseann Lake invites a Jiu-Jitsu professor and a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promoter in Beijing to discuss martial arts in China. They reveal MMA's curious history in China,  while also discussing vital techniques and demonstrating their favorite moves.

While clubs, nun chunks, knives, swords and other assorted weapons may be more traditionally associated with the martial arts, a more delicate, but equally deadly weapon, is enjoying something of a revival in southern China … nothing less than the dainty fan!

But what might appear to be a mere lady’s accessory at first sight, can - in the hands of a master – be every bit as lethal as the sharpest sword. For added heft, martial artists opt for fans made of copper, for greater impact - and a blow from a fan like this can be lethal.

One store which makes and sells this unlikely weapon is in Guangzhou. They’re helping to keep the copper arts and crafts alive, some of which date back to the Ming dynasty.

They can be seen in any park or public space across China’s cities – people brandishing swords, staffs, or just their hands. But they not considered a threat to public safety. There are some millions of Chinese practicing some form of Wushu – Chinese martial arts. Wushu is an umbrella term for all Chinese martial arts, encompassing internal and external pursuits, self defense, meditation and breathing techniques. It includes disciplines like Kung Fu and Tai Qi.

The Shaolin Temple in central China is known as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism…and is known around the world for its kung fu. And, more recently its become famous for the business acumen of its a as BON's reporter tells us, a group of Kungfu monks from the Temple recently gave a martial arts performance in Chicago.