A Symposium on the China national muaythai project was held from June 15th to 17th, 2011 in the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education. The symposium was sponsored by the Wushu Management Centre of General Administration of Sport of China.

In attendance were Gao Xiaojun, Director of the National Wushu Management Centre, Minister Zhou Jinbiao, Li Jia, Chief Consultant of the International Muaythai Organisation in China, Vice President Peng Daohai of the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, President Shi Aiqiao, from the School of Wushu along with representatives from the Wuhan Institute of Physical Education, 12 Wushu centres and 16 clubs all over the country.

Minister Zhou Jinbiao started the symposium with his opening speech in which he spoke about the current situation of muaythai in China. He went on to inform attendees that the project, which included a National Muaythai Championship (qualification event) proposed for July was pending approval. The event would serve as preparation for the 2011 IFMA World Championships in Tashkent in September. Minister Zhou contended that efforts should be made to put the muaythai project on the national agenda in light of the Asian Games in 2 years, and that priority efforts should be made towards the development of muaythai in China. He hoped that everyone could join in the promotion of muaythai in China to ensure a better future for the sport.

Mr. Li, Chief Consultant of the International Muaythai Organisation in China, gave an introduction to the development and trends of muaythai internationally, showing his expectation of China’s access to the World Muaythai Community.

Director Gao made strategic positioning and predicted the development direction of the muaythai project from the perspective of culture. He focused on the visit to Thailand in March, 2011. The Chinese Wushu Association was invited by Thailand to have a productive meeting with IFMA and WMC. The memorandum of understanding signed at this meeting paved way for the long-term cooperation between wushu and muaythai. He stressed that the Chinese efforts should concentrate on a national team construction, launch efficient training seminars, strengthen project management, intensify promotion, complete the game mechanism and deepen international cooperation, etc. He said, “Turn the national decision and determination to realization. Take the national conditions into consideration, and work out a development plan in accordance with our pre-determined objectives. 2011 is the first year for muaythai’s promotion in China. Let’s work together and break new ground for Muay Thai.”

The central topic of the symposium was on Promoting Muaythai in China, and to discuss how to develop, organise and manage the project in future. Discussions were also made on problems with the current muaythai tournament systems, and trying to work out new approaches to developing Muaythai in the current conditions in China. The symposium proved to be a successful meeting of the minds, with representatives from the Wushu centres and clubs all over the country freely sharing their thoughts and ideas.

After the day-long symposium, Zhao Jun and Guo Yi delivered a summary report. An agreement was reached by all present that China should set up a National Muaythai Association to cover counterpart management, disentangle the game management mechanism, hold more training courses, work out more tournament systems, and regulate the clubs’ operation. To push this project forward, policy support was primary.

Director Gao Xiaojun concluded the symposium from three perspectives. First from the perspective of international development and trends of muaythai. Then from the perspective of the current situation of muaythai in China and lastly from the perspective of developing train of thought on muaythai in China.