At first, the two concepts sound as incompatible as a pair of mismatched socks, but there is nothing oxymoronic about them.

Internationalization and tradition are crucial to the furtherance of one of China's greatest cultural exports, says Bao Xiang.

"I don't think there is anything contradictory about it," says the vice principle of the June First International School of Wushu ("wushu" means "martial arts"). He adds that he and his colleagues are trying to do promote Chinese kung fu throughout the world, while maintaining its original spirit and ideals.

The school was jointly founded by Beijing June First High School and the Beijing Institute of Wushu. It was the first educational organization of its kind in China to provide martial arts training at all ability levels. Thousands of foreigners have passed through its doors since it opened in 1995, and it has even established a US branch in Cleveland, Ohio.

Approximately 1,000 foreign students, mainly from the United States and Europe, attended the June First School last year, and the number is expected to surpass 2,000 this year, Bao says.

"Our capacity is limited, so we sometimes have to refuse students from Asian countries where kung fu training schools are widely available," says Bao.

Students can choose from a wide range of course options: Taiji boxing, Baguazhang, Xingyi, Chang boxing, Nan boxing, and other variations.

The school also offers language and cultural courses, including Mandarin instruction, handwriting, seal cutting, traditional Chinese painting, massage, and cooking.

Many of the school's martial arts teachers have won international awards, and some of them have taught kung fu in other countries.

Teacher Lu Yan, for example, was a junior classmate of international kung fu film star Jet Li. She also has foreign teaching experience.

Some of the culture and language teachers are foreigners or have studied overseas.

"Overseas experience helps teachers build a rapport with foreign students," says Bao.

Since the June 28 establishment of the Cleveland branch, the school has started preparations for outlets in Canada and France. With a training capacity of around 1,000 students, the foreign branches should quickly become profitable, says Bao.

The Beijing office sends teachers and materials to the Cleveland school and Chinese citizens living in the United States. June First School will continue with this co-operation model throughout its future international expansion.

Although some observers say this model is a practical, cost efficient way to enter foreign markets, many also say it is still too early to predict the school's future prospects. It will be crucial to maximize student enrolment as it expands.

Bao also says that Chinese culture classes are the key to preserving the traditional essence of kung fu throughout the world.

"Cultural understanding is the only way to grasp the spirit of kung fu," says Bao.

June First School's short-term kung fu camps are also popular. These programmes include home-stays with local families, so students can get closer to Chinese people and their culture.

Bao says profits are thin, but June First's tuition fees are considerably higher than other clubs and schools. Students pay US$30 per class, and food and accommodation comes to US$20 per day.

The classes are small, however, with one teacher to every four or five students. Bao say the classes are good value, the food is healthy, and the living quarters are comfortable and new.

Capacity is limited, and some groups are turned away. Yet the vice-principal says the school has no plans to expand in Beijing.

"We are focused on quality standards and the international market," Bao says.

He describes the June First strategy as confident and steady, which is a reflection of both the principles of kung fu and the moderate lifestyle of traditional Chinese culture.

(China Daily 11/14/2005 page7)