Rory van den Burg came to China five years ago. Working for a finance company in Beijing, he is also a Muay Thai coach at a local boxing club, Muay Thai and Boot Camp Fitness gym. Rory and his friends established the "republic" in 2013 and have passed along the art of fighting to his "citizens".
This is his story.
Video: Huan CAO, Sun Tianyuan
Producer: Flora Yue