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Martial arts

Martial arts
Latest martial arts news, features and opinion, covering movie icons Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen, as well as the debate surrounding the practicality of traditional martial arts as a combat style in China in the wake of the rise of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Forms covered include boxing, wing chun, karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai, kick-boxing, kung fu, judo, wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Callina Liang plays Chun-Li in the 2026 Street Fighter reboot. Photo: @callina.liang/Instagram
Get to Know

Meet Callina Liang, the star of Street Fighter reboot

The Canadian actress features alongside Andrew Koji, Noah Centineo and Jason Momoa in the latest outing for the video game adaptation.

American cinema

‘I’m a huge gamer’: Callina Liang on playing Chun-Li in Street Fighter

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

From Cheng Pei-pei to Michelle Yeoh, Hong Kong’s history of action heroines

Wellness

He trained Jet Li. Wu Bin, 89, shares his secrets to great health in old age

Martial arts legend Wu Bin talks about mentoring Jet Li and other wushu stars, and how building good habits is key to health in older life.

90-year-old Wuxia master Wu Bin, in Wan Chai. 17AUG26 SCMP/Jonathan Wong
Cinema

Why are Chun-Li’s thighs so big? All about the Street Fighter character

We look at the Chinese martial artist’s backstory, sexualised design, the actors who played her – and a bizarre Jackie Chan cosplay moment.

Chinese culture

How Africa’s first Shaolin Temple shares Chinese martial arts and culture

The temple in Zambia has become one of the most visible symbols of China’s cultural footprint in a country where its influence already runs deep.

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American cinema

Desk job to Jackie Chan stunts: martial artist Alfred Hsing’s rise in film

After leaving a financial career, the wushu champion became a fight coordinator, stuntman and actor working with some of film’s top stars.

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Martial arts choreographer, actor and stuntman Alfred Hsing (left) worked as a member of Jackie Chan’s stunt team on the 2015 historical epic Dragon Blade. The California-raised wushu expert has also shared the screen with some of the world’s biggest movie stars, from Michelle Yeoh to Jet Li. Photo: Courtesy of Alfred Hsing
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Ronny Yu and Jet Li made Fearless (2006) a martial arts masterpiece

Director Ronny Yu put Jet Li’s martial arts skills and acting chops to good use in this classic, blending superb fights and a human story.

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Health & Fitness

Explainer: How to train at a Shaolin kung fu centre, like Victor Wembanyama

The San Antonio Spurs star and YouTube sensation IShowSpeed have both travelled to China to experience Shaolin martial arts – here is how you can do it too.

Wellness

How tai chi energises these Chinese retirees: ‘everyone’s health has improved’

Tai chi practitioners at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven talk about learning the ancient Chinese practice and how it benefits health and spirit.

People practice tai chi in a park near the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. Photo: AP Photo/Andy Wong
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Kung Fu Soccer: Stephen Chow loses his touch with Shaolin Soccer spin-off

Dilraba Dilmurat and Zhang Xiaofei lead a team of female football martial artists in Chow’s film that falls far short of its 2001 predecessor.

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Dilraba Dilmurat in a still from Kung Fu Soccer, Stephen Chow’s gender-flipped spin-off of his 2001 comedy classic Shaolin Soccer. The Hong Kong director’s first film in seven years lacks tension and has visuals that resemble AI slop.
European cinema

Why flop movie Shatter is a perfect 1970s Hong Kong time capsule

Shatter, featuring Peter Cushing, Lily Li and Ti Lung, was a box office failure in 1974, but offered a glimpse of a Hong Kong in transition.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

6 surprising facts from Jet Li’s new book, including his near-death moment

From his many names to dishwasher woes, Beyond Life and Death shares things about the Chinese martial artist fans may not have been aware of.

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Asian Games 2026

Virtual taekwondo ‘is the future’ for young people ahead of debut at Asian Games

Athletes embracing the gamified combat sport that uses VR headsets to transport them into a digital 3D arena and motion-tracking sensors.

A virtual taekwondo competitor performs a high kick during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP
Fame and celebrity

California to institute Bruce Lee Day, in first for a Chinese-American

May 17, the day Lee returned to San Francisco after spending his childhood in Hong Kong, will be his annual namesake day.

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Street art of Bruce Lee in San Francisco. Photo: AP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Taiwan-born actor Justin Chien, who’s set to star in The Season

He comes from a prominent family and studied drama at USC before landing his big break in The Brothers Sun, alongside Michelle Yeoh.

American cinema

When RZA cut his teeth as a kung fu director in The Man with the Iron Fists

The Wu-Tang Clan leader’s directorial debut with Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu was an ambitious ode to the martial arts films he grew up loving.

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | The Furious: an instant classic if you like gory, bone-crunching violence

Generic, unfunny and emotionally hollow, The Furious will nevertheless delight those who simply want to watch people getting slaughtered.

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(From left) Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian and Xie Miao in a still from The Furious (category III, Mandarin, English, Thai), directed by Kenji Tanigaki. Yang Enyou co-stars.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The best car stunts in Hong Kong cinema: Police Story, Initial D and more

The most famous car stunt in Hong Kong movie history, and one that made its stuntman instantly famous, feature on our list of the best.

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Fashion

Lu’u Dan x Bruce Lee collab celebrates Asian masculinity

The collection’s launch on May 14 coincides with AAPI Heritage Month and the release of the brand’s fall/winter 2026 collection, All Bets Are Off.

Wellness

Why tai chi and qigong are great for health, and English classes in Hong Kong

The Chinese ‘internal’ arts of tai chi and qigong offer a host of health benefits and are slowly becoming more accessible to English speakers.

Lawrence Tse leads a class outside the tea museum in Hong Kong Park. Photo: Lawrence Tse
American cinema

Review | Mortal Kombat II: Karl Urban leads brainless, outdated action sequel

Little more than a series of cartoonish ultra-violent vignettes, Mortal Kombat II feels as antiquated as the amulet the characters chase.

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(From left) Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Briggs, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade and Karl Urban as Johnny Cage in a still from Mortal Kombat II (category III), directed by Simon McQuoid. Photo: Warner Bros
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why Angela Mao, aka ‘the new Bruce Lee’, was a better fighter than Michelle Yeoh

Angela Mao, star of hits like Hapkido and Lady Whirlwind, was billed as the ‘new Bruce Lee’ by Golden Harvest after his death.

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Hong Kong culture

Editorial | Hong Kong’s efforts to commemorate Bruce Lee should pack bigger punch

While the latest move to honour the late kung fu star is welcome, more must be done to acknowledge his standing as a pillar of Hong Kong heritage.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong marks 85th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s arrival with statue and exhibition

Life-size bronze statue unveiled at former site of Lee family home on Nathan Road, alongside exhibition of rare photos and posters.

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(From left) Lawmaker Vivian Kong Man-wai, Prudential Enterprise director Gabriel Li, lawmaker Perry Yiu and curator Heiman Ng at the unveiling of the Bruce Lee statue at the Prudential Centre on Nathan Road. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The bloody legacy of The One-Armed Swordsman film sequels

The two follow-ups to The One-Armed Swordsman are somewhat different to the original hit film but plenty of blood runs through all three.

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David Chiang Da-wei in a still from The New One-Armed Swordsman, a 1971 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh.
Trending in China

China martial arts prodigy, 5, practises to point of tears for May tournament

‘Tenacious’ youngster brushes off mum’s worries about training too much; hones skills, boosts fitness under watchful eye of her dad.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Imperial China’s armed escort services solved logistical problems – with swords

In imperial China, services of armed martial artists, or biaoju, ensured delivery on risky routes. Their image has since been romanticised.

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