A grand Kungfu competition is set to be launched in a few months, offering worldwide martial art practicers a chance to become film stars while promoting China's cultural heritage, a senior Kungfu abbot said in Beijing Thursday. 

The competition, jointly initiated by Shaolin Temple Culture Communication Co., Ltd, owned by the temple, and a Chinese satellite TV station, will select 108 outstanding Kungfu practicers for a movie and TV series, the temple's abbot Shi Yongxin said at a press conference.

Starting from March next year, worldwide participants will have to survive three stages of competition to vie for their roles in the new film and TV series both named The Legend of the Monk Warriors of Shaolin Temple.

A judging team, comprised of outstanding martial art practicers, Kungfu stars and renowned film directors and experts, will appraise the competitors along with the public audience, which will be able to vote for its favorite ones via by the internet and mobile phone messages, according to Fu Min, general manager of the culture company.

The whole process will be shown on TV and more Kungfu stars like Jackie Chan are expected to be born in the interactive program, said Fu, also a Shaolin monk.

The 1500-year temple, located in central China's Henan Province, is famous for its martial arts and abounds in legendary stories.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2005)