Laurence J. Brahm, known in Chinese as 龍安志 ("Long" from "descendant of the dragon", "An" from Tiananmen, and "Zhi" meaning aspiration), is a true American by birth, but has spent most of his adult life in China. Now, he is committed to dedicating the rest of his life to sharing the essence of Chinese culture with the world.
At a launch event in Hong Kong for his bilingual book and documentary "Gate of Nine Dragons—Searching for Kung Fu", Brahm emphasized that kung fu is not just martial arts—it's a gateway to understanding the values and roots of Chinese culture. "To have 'roots' is to have the opportunity to grow," he said. "Kung fu is one of those roots."
Brahm first came to China in 1981 as an exchange student, studying at Nankai University after arriving in Beijing. At that time, China was materially underdeveloped but culturally rich. Having witnessed the early days of China's reform and opening-up, he later studied law in Hong Kong and worked there for several years. In the early 1990s, inspired by Deng Xiaoping's reforms, he returned to Beijing to develop his career and purchased a traditional courtyard home (siheyuan), which he considers a symbol of cultural preservation.
Reflecting on China's transformation, Brahm said, "Today, China's infrastructure—highways, railways—is more advanced than many Western countries. Fifty years ago, it was a completely different world." He also praised the Chinese government's responsiveness to challenges like pollution through its promotion of ecological civilization policies.
Brahm sees kung fu as more than physical movement—it's philosophy, balance, and self-cultivation. He has practiced various styles, including Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, and Shaolin kung fu, and continues to train even in his 60s. While fewer young Chinese today practice martial arts, he believes each generation finds its own way to reconnect with cultural roots, often through film, music, or the arts.
It took Brahm many years to transition from "ping-pong diplomacy" to "Kung Fu diplomacy." Brahm argues that Kung Fu, encompassing martial arts, Chinese medicine, and Yin-Yang philosophy, serves as a bridge to overcome East-West cognitive barriers. He advocates for a new "Kung Fu diplomacy" to foster genuine understanding through cultural exchanges. Committed to creating Kung Fu films and writing, he sees this as essential for facilitating meaningful dialogue and forming a new narrative for China in its global engagement.
Over the past 40 years, Brahm has authored nine books on China. He's also made films and produced music. Currently based in Beijing, he is planning a feature film set in the Republic of China era, with hopes to collaborate with Hong Kong producers. The film aims to blend historical and contemporary themes to help foreign audiences better understand the values behind kung fu.
(Produced by Felicia, Jack, Ian and Kiki)
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