Young Chinese acrobat turns 12 years of training into daring 10m-high act

Apart from the high-chair act, in which Sha Ma Laqian participated, the show also featured plate spinning, bowl balancing and hat juggling acts; ground ring acrobatics; bicycle acrobatics; and a flying motorcycle show. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 29 Sep 2026 7:00 AM MYT

BEIJING, Sept 29 — Watching Sha Ma Laqian perform stunts atop a stack of chairs reaching up to 10 metres, it may seem effortless for him, but the feat is the culmination of 12 years of training that began in childhood.

The 19-year-old youth — a member of the Yi ethnic group, one of China’s minority communities — is part of China’s Sichuan Suining Acrobatics Troupe, which performed a series of nine acts in the one-hour Legend of Chinese Charm show at the Beijing Chaoyang Theatre here last Friday.

Among the audience were participants of the Asean Media Workshop in China, including Bernama, who had the opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to the country’s traditional performing arts and cultural heritage.

Laqian said he began learning acrobatics at the age of seven and that continuous training helped him to improve his skills and overcome nervousness when performing the high-chair act.

“When I first started performing this act, I was quite nervous, but after doing it repeatedly, I no longer feel nervous,” he told the media after the performance.

He said the skills for the high-chair routine he performed at the show require years of training, beginning with basic movements before progressing to more difficult acts. It took him about eight to nine years to reach his current level of proficiency.

Sha Ma Laqian said he began learning acrobatics at the age of seven and that continuous training helped him to improve his skills and overcome nervousness when performing the high-chair act. — Bernama pic

However, mastering the art has not been without challenges as he has sustained injuries during training and performances.

“Injuries are common in the field of acrobatics, but the applause and encouragement from the audience make all the effort to learn and improve in this art worthwhile,” he said.

During Friday’s performance, Laqian performed at a height of about 10 metres, while his highest record so far is 14 metres.

By performing in such shows, he hopes to introduce and showcase Chinese acrobatics to the international community, allowing more people around the world to discover the uniqueness and beauty of the art.

He added that the costume he wore incorporates elements of traditional Chinese culture and was designed in the “Shusheng” style, depicting the image of a traditional Chinese scholar or student in line with the theme of the performance.

Watching Sha Ma Laqian perform stunts atop a stack of chairs reaching up to 10 metres, it may seem effortless for him, but the feat is the culmination of 12 years of training that began in childhood. — Bernama pic

The Legend of Chinese Charm show featured more than 60 performers. The audience was clearly captivated by the various acrobatic acts performed by the artistes, who showcased their skills, strength, balance and artistry of traditional Chinese acrobatics, supported by modern stage technology. Each act drew thunderous applause.

Apart from the high-chair act, in which Laqian participated, the show also featured plate spinning, bowl balancing and hat juggling acts; ground ring acrobatics; bicycle acrobatics; and a flying motorcycle show.

The performance was among the cultural programmes attended by the participants of the Asean Media Workshop.

For the media practitioners, the showcase also offered a glimpse into how traditional Chinese acrobatics continue to be presented through contemporary stage productions, combining physical skills and traditional performance elements with modern stage technology to engage today’s audiences.

The two-week Asean Media Workshop, which started on September 15, involved 21 journalists from nine countries, with the programme also covering visits to Nanning, Fujian and Beijing. — Bernama