Martial arts set up cultural bridges between China and Germany

This photo shows the reflected mirror image of students practicing at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. Ismet Himmet, with his Chinese name You Lihan, speaks fluent Chinese and has devoted more than thirty years to Chinese martial arts. Himmet, now 48, began learning kung fu in 1991. Nine years later, he traveled to China for the first time. From 2006 he started teaching Chinese martial arts full-time in Germany. At XUAN-Gong Fu Academy, a kung fu school that Himmet established in Berlin, students of all ages practise Tai Chi, Ba Gua Zhang, Xingyiquan and other kung fu styles every day. In his view, martial arts are not just a sport, but also a way of living and something that helps the mind turn toward the positive.

Thousands of kilometers away, in east China's Shanghai, She Yuran, known as "A Xiao", is engaged in a similar career as Himmet. Born in Sichuan of China, She Yuran studied Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) at college. His interest in HEMA grew into a deep study of historical weapons and combat methods.

In 2015, She Yuran co-founded the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club, offering systematic training in both European and Chinese martial arts. SHMA now has more than 200 members, over half of whom study German swordsmanship.

While Ismet Himmet helps Germans understand the philosophy and practice of Chinese martial arts, She Yuran brings European sword traditions to young Chinese practitioners. Their commitment shows how martial arts can carry culture across borders, allowing mutual understanding to grow through their fists and blades. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

She Yuran prepares to practice longswords with a friend at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

This photo shows an image of Ismet Himmet posted on a martial arts magazine in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

Ismet Himmet (1st L) records students practicing at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

She Yuran (L) teaches a student at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

This photo shows German martial arts equipment and teaching equipment at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

Students practice Tuishou at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

This photo shows a scene on a sword and shield course at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

Ismet Himmet demonstrates Chinese martial arts at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

Members of the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club practice with each other at the SHMA in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

Tai Chi Swords are seen at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

Ismet Himmet (rear L) instructs students practicing Tuishou at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

Ismet Himmet (L) instructs a student at XUAN-Gong Fu Academy in Berlin, Germany, Nov. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

This undated combo photo shows four scenes of Ismet Himmet practicing Chinese martial arts in China. (Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows members of the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club and a German teacher posing for a group photo after class in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua)

She Yuran practices on equipment at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

This photo shows the gate of the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

She Yuran practices longswords with a friend at the Shanghai Historical Martial Arts (SHMA) club in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)