With one of the largest populations in the world, China is one of the great latent bodybuilding powers today. This huge pool of human resources combined with the wisdom accumulated over the centuries in various fields and the variety of people and races within China's borders sets the stage for a veritable explosion of human potential. On occasion China has introduced some exceptional physique talent both male and female, but considering how much it has to work with, one gets the feeling that we haven't seen anything yet. The fact is also that we get few opportunities to see what is going on there unless we actually manage to visit! However, in the last two or three years, China's bodybuilders seem to be stepping out more than before.

So-called "overseas Chinese", particularly those in the USA and Canada have shown that Chinese very often have exceptional bodybuilding talent, for example Ming Chew of New York whose parents hailed from Hainan, or former competitor Peter Fong of Hawaii. Another massive bodybuilder with grandparents from the Chinese mainland is Liaw Teck Leong of Malaysia, but one of a number of "Straits Chinese" prominent in the sport. However, the voice of bodybuilding in China does not yet seem to be as great as is has become in many of its neighboring regions. Hong Kong, with only a small fraction of China's population, often sends more athletes to the Asian competitions than its mainland partner. However, the Asian competition for 2000 held in Hong Kong was filled with extremely well-developed bodybuilders, the majority from Tianjin and Shenzhen, also from Fuzhou and Hainan Island.

In any case, the national champions that China sends out do not disappoint. A major characteristic one can observe of the Chinese musclemen is that besides having excellent physiques, they really love to please their audiences, and stage dramatic posing routines with music to match. Lu Yun, above, shows a sweep of the arms that the Chinese bodybuilders love (notice Wang Shuli on the cover page as well) and the audience appreciates. Ming Chew of New York went so far as to actually go into acting! Another Chinese guest poser who once came to Japan appeared complete with chains and tattered clothes as part of his routine: that was definately one unforgettable show. One gets an idea how much Chinese audiences must demand of their stars... But it can also be difficult to get a Chinese bodybuilder off the stage once he is on. (it is hard enough to get any bodybuilder off a stage to begin with!) "Thank you competitor number XX... uh, thank you. THANK YOU!!" The MC often pleads in vain.

The Chinese have made their mark all over the world and in Asia alone there are large populations living in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, etc. In Asiamuscle, unless it is known otherwise, ethnic Chinese bodybuilders active outside of Asia will be introduced on this page. Meanwhile, please take a look at what China has to offer today.