On behalf of the Chinese Taekwon-Do lovers and practitioners, the
CHINA INTERNATIONAL TAEKWON-DO FEDERATION would like to pay high
tribute to ITF President Mr. Chang Ung, Grand Masters, Masters,
Instructors and Taekwon-Do practitioners encouraging and supporting
China ITF to achieve great success in 2004.
China is a big country with multi ethnic groups, a country with
profound tradition of Martial Arts. General Choi Hong Hi, Founder
and ex-president of ITF, had long realized the significance of
popularizing the art in such a country, and he did attach much
stress in this regard during his lifetime. In June 1986, General
Choi visited China with his ITF delegation and introduced the
art to Chinese people in Biejing, Xi’an, and Ji’nan.
Their brilliant performance not only launched great sensation
in these cities, but also won the acclaim from concerning Chinese
leaders. Since then, General Choi made many other visits to China
to bring in the true spirit of Taekwon-Do.
In 1998, sent by General Choi, the vice president of ITF had
several discussions with Mr. Song ShuoJing about the details of
developing Taekwon-Do in China and arranged for General Choi and
Mr. Song’s joint investigation of Taekwon-Do in China, as
well as their negotiation for future effort. In the same October,
General Choi and his wife, followed by the vice president and
consultants, held kind talks with Mr. Song ShuoJing in Beijing,
with the hope that Mr. Song establish CHINA INTERNATIONAL TAEKWON-DO
FEDERATION.
In early 1999, CHINA INTERNATIONAL TAEKWON-DO FEDERATION was
officially founded in Beijing and Mr. Song ShuoJing was appointed
the Senior Representative. General Choi personally signed documents
granting Mr. Song only authorized use of ITF title and ITF Plaque
in China. Among all the ITF member countries, CHINA ITF is the
only NGB that has ever received General Choi’s written permission,
which fully demonstrates CHINA ITF’s special position. Since
then, Mr. Song, as an adoring supporter of General Choi’s
cause, has made it his lifelong commission to popularize and develop
Taekwon-Do in China and has made great contributions for CHINA
ITF. Bearing General Choi’s great concern and under the
leadership of Mr. Wang Wei, the second president of CHINA ITF,
the cause has achieved great results with the tireless efforts
of instructors home and broad, and the enthusiastic assistance
from friends of all circles.
In 2003, President Wang Wei resigned from the office out of personal
reasons and requested to hold assembly to elect a new president.
On Dec. 12 and 13, 2003, the annual assembly of CHINA ITF was
held in Beijing and elected Instructor Li Guangsong as the new
President, Mr. Ren Chao as the Secretary General. The third generation
leading group of CHINA ITF was born. Delegates attending the meeting
from all over China unanimously agreed Mr. Song ShuoJing to be
the Honorary President for Life. Meanwhile, the conference passed
the CHINA ITF CONSTITUTION, and invited Mr. Wang Wei, the ex-president
and Ms. Piao Yang, the ex-general secretary, Master Phap Lu, Master
Hwang Jin
to be the advisers assisting the development of CHINA ITF.
Under the leadership of the new leaders, the 2004 CHINA ITF,
despite all the disadvantages from home and abroad, has made leaping
advance in popularizing Taekwon-Do in China. From March 22 to
24, 2004, CHINA ITF held the “Internal Training Class of
Taekwon-Do, 2004” in Beijing, commemorating the 38th anniversary
of ITF, with Master Phap Lu voluntarily presiding the training.
The training was reported by China National Sports Daily, China
Police Daily, and was made full coverage by almost all the major
websites in China, which greatly promoted the influence of ITF
and Taekwon-Do in China.
In April, CHINA ITF established branch in Zhejiang Province.
In May, CHINA ITF established branch in Hubei Province.
In June, CHINA ITF established branches in Xi’an, Shaanxi
Province, where the Eight World Wonder, Terra-cotta Warriors and
Horses locates, and Yunnan Province, southwest of China.
In July, CHINA ITF established branch in Henan Province, where
the Shaolin Temple—the hometown of Chinese Martial Arts—locates.
In August, CHINA ITF established branch in Shandong Province.
In September, CHINA ITF President Li Guangsong, Secretary General
Ren Chao met in Beijing with Master Phap Lu and Master Normal
Law, vice president of Hong Kong ITF, and held talks on the co-operation
between China and Hong Kong ITF. On Sept 28, leaders of CHINA
ITF met in Beijing Mr. Senator Mac Harb, Chairman of the International
Martial Arts Games Committee.
In October, President Li Guangsong and Secretary General Ren Chao
went in person to Weihai city to help develop Taekwon-Do, a city
which has just been honored with the “Best Living Environment
City” title by the UN. Their visit attracted much attention
from local sports circle and was covered by several local media.
Therefore, at the time when ITF and all Chinese ITF Teakwood-Do
lovers are jointly making efforts to develop Gen. Choi Hong Hi’s
orthodox Taekwon-Do, when Chinese ITF Taekwon-Do is beginning
its rational development, especially when WTF Taekwon-Do participants
gradually have a new acknowledge of Taekwon-Do, We CHINA ITF still
needs the support and help of ITF just as before, just like when
Gen. Choi was still with us. In 2005, we have enough confidence
to achieve further success under the ITF leadership and our efforts.
China International Taekwon-Do Federation
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