In a tranquil courtyard in the Taigu District of Jinzhong City in north China's Shanxi Province, Carlos Nehemias Maposse, a Mozambican student, has seamlessly woven himself into the local tapestry.

His presence is a familiar sight, as he diligently practices Chinese martial arts here under the guidance of local master Song Baogui.

"Chinese martial arts is the motivation for me to come to China," he said.

Born in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, Maposse has been a great enthusiast of Chinese kung fu films since his childhood.

The deeper he delves into the essence of Chinese martial arts, the more enthusiasm he feels for this integral facet of the nation's culture.

Before traveling to China, Maposse took Chinese language classes at a nearby local school. In 2016, he enrolled at Taiyuan University of Technology in Shanxi, majoring in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages.

Guided by the university's martial arts association, he plunged into Tai Chi, dedicating himself to intensive professional training in this captivating martial art form.

During his university years, Maposse would spend up to four hours each day honing his skills after class, while his weekends were entirely occupied by training.

He also participated in a variety of competitions to test the fruits of his efforts, refining his techniques along the way. These dedicated endeavors persisted for seven years.

Maposse's Tai Chi instructor, Cui Yanhua, noted the student's profound ardor for Chinese martial arts, saying that he trained harder than the others in his class.

Maposse also spends his spare time visiting several renowned martial arts masters. In this process, he has come to appreciate the distinct cultural features of the various Chinese martial disciplines.

Years of persistence have brought Maposse many achievements. Since 2016, the African student has won awards at both national and provincial competitions.

"I thought martial arts was just about fighting, but when I delve deeper into it, I realize it has profound connotations and a cultural background," said Maposse. "Martial arts is a way of life."

Having spent seven years living and studying in China, Maposse has chosen to return to his homeland after graduation next year.

"Martial arts brings about positive effects on both the body and mind. I intend to persist in practicing Chinese martial arts and share what I've learned in China with those who are interested back home," he said. 

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