Education authorities in Henan province are planning to introduce a Shaolin boxing program in all primary schools in the provincial capital Zhengzhou, in a bid to promote traditional martial arts among young people, local media reported yesterday.

"Shaolin boxing will be introduced in the coming term as part of the physical education program for all students in grades three through six at 1,007 primary schools," Wang Kejie, an official with the Zhengzhou education bureau, was quoted as saying yesterday by the Henan Business News.

"We based our decision on the good reaction we received to a pilot program held last year that involved more than 20,000 students at 56 primary schools," Wang said.