{"id":9370,"date":"2025-02-26T16:03:41","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/?p=9370"},"modified":"2025-02-26T16:21:14","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T21:21:14","slug":"skating-for-cultural-expression-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/2025\/02\/26\/skating-for-cultural-expression-in-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Skating For Cultural Expression in China"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text]<!-- divi:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>by Zhang Rui, YourPace Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding in Guangzhou, China is more than a sport; it&#8217;s a means of<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>self-expression that helped define the younger generation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>What started as a modest symbol of independence and individuality\u00a0has transformed into a movement.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>For many young people living in Guangzhou, skateboarding represents personal freedom, creativity, and defiance of societal<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>norms. Many young skaters in Guangzhou see skateboarding as a form of self-expression and freedom.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\">\u00a0<strong>&#8220;On my board, I feel free,&#8221; said Li Wu.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Wu described it as an escape from daily routines and social expectations. Skateboarding helps young people in a city like Guangzhou, which blends history and modernism, define identities in a changing environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skaters paint on the streets, parks, and historic areas of the city. Skateboarders transform the old locations close to Shamian Island and the contemporary streets of Zhujiang New Town into active venues of expression.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skater Liu Lanqing explained, &#8220;The streets are our playground,&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>He pointed out how skaters created dynamic spaces out of ordinary metropolitan settings. Skateboarding is urban art in the city.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong><br>Young people of Guangzhou are incorporating skateboarding into their more significant cultural identity. Skateboarding reflects the attitude of the younger Guangzhou generation with its mix of revolt and inventiveness. This group celebrates originality; many skaters find the sport to be a means of expressing their uniqueness.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Another local skater, Chen Dashan, noted, &#8220;Skateboarding is about standing out, showing who you are.&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding is one of the defining cultural movements in the city since this mix of self-expression and independence appeals to everyone.From local parks to building free skate parks across the city, the local government has helped skateboarding to flourish. These areas provide young skateboarders a secure place to hone their abilities and interact with others who are as passionate about the sport.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>\u00a0&#8220;The skateparks provide skaters an opportunity to practice and connect with other people,&#8221; said skater Yang Xiaoguang. Apart from promoting physical exercise, these parks help the skaters of Guangzhou to feel like a community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarders in Guangzhou are attracting global attention. Media sources and worldwide businesses acknowledged Guangzhou&#8217;s energetic skate scene.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Once considered a marginal subculture, Guangzhou leads the worldwide movement that has developed from the city&#8217;s skating scene, reflecting the city&#8217;s larger youthful vitality, not just the local scene.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- divi:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding has emerged as a powerful tool for individual growth and is a main component of youth culture in Guangzhou.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/divi:paragraph -->[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"et_pb_section et_pb_section_0 et_section_regular\" >\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row_empty\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"et_pb_module et_pb_text et_pb_text_0  et_pb_text_align_left et_pb_bg_layout_light\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> by Zhang Rui, YourPace Contributor Skateboarding in Guangzhou, China is more than a sport; it&#8217;s a means of self-expression that helped define the younger generation. What started as a modest symbol of independence and individuality\u00a0has transformed into a movement.\u00a0 For many young people living in Guangzhou, skateboarding represents personal freedom, creativity, and defiance of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":9374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>by Zhang Rui, YourPace Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding in Guangzhou, China is more than a sport; it's a means of<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>self-expression that helped define the younger generation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>What started as a modest symbol of independence and individuality\u00a0has transformed into a movement.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>For many young people living in Guangzhou, skateboarding represents personal freedom, creativity, and defiance of societal<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>norms. Many young skaters in Guangzhou see skateboarding as a form of self-expression and freedom.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\">\u00a0<strong>\"On my board, I feel free,\" said Li Wu.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Wu described it as an escape from daily routines and social expectations. Skateboarding helps young people in a city like Guangzhou, which blends history and modernism, define identities in a changing environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skaters paint on the streets, parks, and historic areas of the city. Skateboarders transform the old locations close to Shamian Island and the contemporary streets of Zhujiang New Town into active venues of expression.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skater Liu Lanqing explained, \"The streets are our playground,\"\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>He pointed out how skaters created dynamic spaces out of ordinary metropolitan settings. Skateboarding is urban art in the city.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong><br>Young people of Guangzhou are incorporating skateboarding into their more significant cultural identity. Skateboarding reflects the attitude of the younger Guangzhou generation with its mix of revolt and inventiveness. This group celebrates originality; many skaters find the sport to be a means of expressing their uniqueness.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Another local skater, Chen Dashan, noted, \"Skateboarding is about standing out, showing who you are.\"\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding is one of the defining cultural movements in the city since this mix of self-expression and independence appeals to everyone.From local parks to building free skate parks across the city, the local government has helped skateboarding to flourish. These areas provide young skateboarders a secure place to hone their abilities and interact with others who are as passionate about the sport.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>\u00a0\"The skateparks provide skaters an opportunity to practice and connect with other people,\" said skater Yang Xiaoguang. Apart from promoting physical exercise, these parks help the skaters of Guangzhou to feel like a community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarders in Guangzhou are attracting global attention. Media sources and worldwide businesses acknowledged Guangzhou's energetic skate scene.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Once considered a marginal subculture, Guangzhou leads the worldwide movement that has developed from the city's skating scene, reflecting the city's larger youthful vitality, not just the local scene.<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"style\":{\"elements\":{\"link\":{\"color\":{\"text\":\"var:preset|color|black\"}}}},\"textColor\":\"black\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><strong>Skateboarding has emerged as a powerful tool for individual growth and is a main component of youth culture in Guangzhou.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7376],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9370"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9376,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9370\/revisions\/9376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.umpi.edu\/utimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}