EXTERNAL SYSTEM: Also called the hard 
system, the WAI-CHIA, or weijia, the external 
system is one of the two branches of the 
Chinese martial art of wu-shu, or KUNG-FU. It 
teaches how to muster force to counter 
attacks and defeat an opponent. KUNG-FU 
styles of the external school can further be 
classified into northern and southern styles. 
The former developed in northern CHINA, 
which is generally underpopulated and cold. 
Northern styles consist of broad, sweeping 
movements, which developed because of the 
abundant open spaces, and of straight-limbed 
punches and kicks, which developed because 
of the climate; people in the north of CHINA 
generally wear many layers of clothing to 
keep warm and cannot, therefore, bend their 
knees and elbows easily. The southern school 
employs more rounded, close body 
movements. It was developed in crowded 
cities, where there was little room to extend 
the body. Also, because of the heat and 
humidity, every attempt was made to 
conserve energy and not to become over-
heated. (See also Kung-fu article).