Initiative promotes heritage boat boxing in middle school

A new program aiming to promote intangible cultural heritage inheritance in schools and communities has been launched at Jinze Middle School in Qingpu District.

The initiative involves cultural institutions and schools and aims to inherit and promote local heritage. In this regard, a workshop on chuanquan (boat boxing), a traditional martial art rooted in the region's water town culture, was launched.

Boat boxing traces its origins to ancient sailors, who practiced martial arts on wobbly boat decks to build strength and skills. Over time, this practical training evolved into a unique martial art style that embodies the characteristics of Qingpu's water towns. Its cultural depth and distinctive techniques have made it a cherished local intangible cultural heritage item.

At the launch event, He Lei, a municipal-level inheritor of boat boxing, led students into the world of this traditional art.

Xu Cunfang, the school's principal, said that boat boxing has a rich cultural foundation and popular support in Qingpu.