Boxing of Sun Bin

The Boxing of Sun Bin in Anqiu, Weifang can be traced back to the Tenth Year of Emperor Guangxu Period of the Qing Dynasty (1884 AD). According to the Folk Stories of Anqiu and the Cultural and Historical Records of Anqiu, during the Emperor Guangxu Period there were a lot of martial art masters in Anqiu and its neighboring villages, where the record about Cao Silong "Silong's wind-like power boxing hides true Kungfu in sleeves; changeable as clouds and rain, he attacks the flank with a feint on the front" is quite similar to the theories and skills of Sun Bin's Boxing. Also known as "Big Parry Boxing" or "Long Sleeve Boxing", this boxing type features "elephant-nose-like punch" and "stumbling steps" with a simple but mighty style, and prioritizes both internal cultivation and external practice, with a particular focus on the art of attack and defense. It mainly includes 32 forms (medium parry), 64 forms (small parry) and 96 forms (big parry) as well as 168 forms of free-style boxing. Technically, the boxer responds to the enemy by sideway attacks, long-range strikes and skillful combo attacks; tactically, the boxer applies "void, deceptive, virtual, real, swaying, flexible and agile" knacks and confuses the enemy by fake actions, making it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. The Boxing of Sun Bin has a well-established system of theories and practical skills, upholds the cultural essence of Sun Bin's wisdom and art of war, and combines the quintessence of both free-style boxing and martial arts. It plays an important role in reinforcing people's fitness and quality, defeating enemies and improving self-defense. The Boxing of Sun Bin presently has widespread influence across the Taiwan Strait that positively promotes the friendship between martial arts peers on both sides of the strait, and enhances the cohesion of the Chinese nation. In 2011, it was included in the third batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection List.