Pingtan's Cane Shield Exercise, also known as Teng Pai in Chinese, is a traditional martial arts form that has been passed down for over 400 years. It is a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage and a local art treasure rooted in Pingtan, an island off the coast of E China’s Fujian province. Recently, the practitioners have been busy preparing for the upcoming tourism season.

During a recent visit to the training base, one could hear the sounds of powerful shouting and the striking of canes and knives. A group of men, women, young and old, dressed in ancient yellow martial arts clothing with brown shoulder pads and headbands, were performing various moves and positions with canes and knives in their hands. Jiang Xinhua, president of the Pingtan Cane Shield Association, was closely observing their performance, correcting their mistakes, and encouraging them to perform better.

Pingtan Cane Shield Exercise has become a must-see performance during the Spring Festival, National Day holiday, and other major cultural tourism events. In 2021, it impressed hundreds of tourists on the first high-speed rail tourism train, and in 2022, it kicked off the "Cultural and Natural Heritage Day" and "Intangible Cultural Heritage Shopping Festival" with an impressive performance.

Cane Shield Exercise performances are expected to increase in the upcoming tourism season due to the high demand for Pingtan's unique intangible cultural heritage. In addition, it has also been selected as the first batch of "one county, one product" cultural and artistic examples by the National Rural Revitalization Bureau. This recognition has brought both excitement and concern to the practitioners, as there are only about 60 sixth-generation inheritors, and the art may be at risk of being lost if not preserved properly.

Winning the honor is pride and support for the Cane Shield Exercise, as it is not only an important part of Pingtan's cultural heritage but also a valuable form of exercise and a unique performance art. Pingtan can preserve its rich cultural legacy and share it with the world through continued promotion and protection of this traditional practice.

The Cane Shield Exercise is a prime example of Pingtan's commitment to cultural preservation and promotion. As Pingtan continues to develop its tourism industry and establish itself as a cultural hub, it is important to remember the value of traditional practices like the Cane Shield Exercise.

Pingtan's Cane Shield Exercise is not only a form of martial arts but also a cultural heritage that reflects the rich history and traditions of the region. It is a source of pride and joy for the local people and has become an important part of the cultural tourism industry.

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