At Mingcheng College, a lecture turned a traditional Kung Fu Fan routine into a lively lesson in movement, teamwork and cultural confidence.

Students took part in the Kung Fu Fan class

A classroom became a tiny arena for Chinese martial arts, as students opened bright yellow fans, adjusted their stances and followed the beat of a Kung Fu Fan routine.

The activity, part of the Mingcheng lecture, was designed less as a performance lesson than as an accessible cultural experience. Through posture, rhythm and group practice, students were introduced to a form that blends the strength of martial arts with the grace of fan dance.

Mingcheng College presents a certificate of appointment to instructor Huang Xinmei

Huang Xinmei, a teacher from SCUT's School of Physical Education, led the session. A 2018 graduate of the university, Huang now teaches public physical education courses and trains the university martial arts team. Her background as a coach and referee helped turn the lecture into a step-by-step workshop for beginners.

The lecture began with the basics. Students learned how to stand, snap the fan open and shut crisply , and coordinate their steps with their arm movements. Huang broke down each motion, from the direction of force to the shift of body weight, so that even first-time participants could follow the routine.

Huang demonstrates key movements and explains technical details

As practice continued, the room grew more synchronized. Students lined up in front of mirrors, corrected their hand positions and repeated the routine in groups. What started as hesitant movement gradually became sharper, with the sound of opening fans adding a clear rhythm to the class.

For many participants, the appeal of the class went beyond physical exercise. Some students said the session helped them understand the patience and control behind traditional martial arts. Others said the shared practice gave them a chance to meet new classmates and savor the joy  of learning together.

The group formation became more coordinated through repeated practice

The lecture ended with a short outdoor display in front of Mingcheng College, where students presented what they had learned. The final formation, with fans opening in unison, brought together youthful vitality and the cultural essence embodied in traditional Chinese martial arts.

Students presented what they learned in front of Mingcheng College

Mingcheng College said it will continue to use micro-classes to expand students' access to aesthetic and physical education. For international students, activities like this also offer a direct way to read Chinese culture through movement, not only through textbooks.

Student Voices

Guo Kangqi, Robotics Class of 2025 said the lecture gave him more confidence, helped him understand rhythm and force, and allowed him to make new friends through group practice.

Zhang Ziming, Intelligent Marine Equipment Class of 2025 described Kung Fu Fan as a form of art that reveals both softness and strength, with body movement and fan control working together.

Ding Yuning, Microelectronics Class of 2022 said the practice showed that Kung Fu Fan requires coordination, muscle control, patience and persistence.