CROSSED-HANDS and RESEARCH
IN CHINA
In
February 1988, Tang took the train journey from Hong Kong to Canton.
At that time China was still very security conscious, everyone's
bags were searched thoroughly, and any video tapes or audio tapes
were also viewed for any obscene contents. Going through the custom
and excise check point was tougher than the train journey itself.
On
arrival in Canton, the first port of call was at the Canton Province
Athletic Resident Centre. Tang's uncle was a former official of
the Centre, and this enable Tang to gain access to the professionally
trained Wu Shu (Kung Fu) stage performers and also the fighters.
Tang recalls that these martial artists adopted the similar routine
as the professional Thai boxers. It really goes to show the standard
of martial art was absolutely brilliant. The lesser performer/fighter
of the centre would put a lot of the so-called masters in the UK
to shame.
Tang
was very excited and pleased to see that the Kung Fu skills are
highly practised by martial artists of this centre. The coach and
fighters were interested in what Tang's martial practice, and delighted
them with great performances in Wing Chun and also in San Soo (free-fighting).
There was absolutely no bad sportsmanship, and if the guy got hurt,
it was still cool later on to chit-chat.
The
Canton centre left a very good impression on Tang. He then pursued
his journey to Foshan, the homeland of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Tang was
greeted by a whole entourage of Wing Chun masters and exponents
at the Rotating Palace Hotel.
The
Wing Chun exponents in Foshan had a much more mature and professional
attitude than in Hong Kong. Don't get me wrong, they still wanted
to test and challenge you but no potential nastiness. People here
understands that if you compare Chi Sau skills, it does not automatically
you are better in streetfighting.
Tang
fought/crossed hands at least 6-8 times, and dealt with them all
systematically. The Foshan Wing Chun brothers astonishing pointed
out that Tang's Wing Chun had developed so much and he was brilliant.
Tang noticed and learned from the Foshan masters new methods of
Chi Sau, and it was closely related to street fighting rather than
many pretty blocks.
After
the arduous contests, Tang was invited to the Great Grandmaster
Yui Kil's home for dinner. There he received the highest traditional
Kung Fu honour. The ceremony was performed in front of the closed-door
students of Grandmaster Yui Kil.  Such
an honour for Tang at the age of 24 years old, it was not greeted
well by other Masters in Hong Kong and in the West. This proved
to be a turbulent political minefield, some well known masters were
very jealous and attempted to discredit Tang through their media
connections. These attempts were fruitless,  since
Tang took no notice of them and pursued an excellent record of fights,
teachings, and performances and researches. Hence, hold one of the
highest esteemed martial art status.
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