Lin Jian, executive president of WCM Beijing 2009, said that the lack of funding is often a problem for Chinese magicians wanting to hold grand events.

"Large-scale magic shows have been the weakness of Chinese magic, with money the most important reason. Magicians in foreign countries will invested tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in their props, which is impossible in China," Lin remarked.

"The WCM Beijing 2009 will showcase the improvement of China's large-scale magic shows in recent years," Lin said. He added that as the popularity of magic is increasing in China, more and more young people are being drawn to the art.

Qi Yuanrui is the youngest of the Chinese team at 21 years of age, Wu Pengcheng is 30 and Fu Yandong 34.

The veteran of the team, 53-year-old Wang Qimo will present his personal journey for the world championship judges. Always dreaming of traveling afar, Wang will conjure a car and plane on the stage before vanishing in a helicopter piloted by a young beauty.

Wu Pengcheng will present the most difficult act of the Chinese magicians in the competition. As part of his show, Wu will escape from a water tank, an act made popular by many foreign magicians in the past. For the world championships, Wu will attempt to escape through the bottom of a tank.

In the lead up event to the world championships, Chinese magicians had the opportunity to showcase their talents with five Chinese female magicians attracting much attention.

"Female magicians, especially close-up artists, are not widely accepted in Europe because of preconceptions," said magician Qu Lei. "According to my own experience, female magicians can combine dance and magic and present the beauty of their body, but they cannot hide things as well as their male counterparts."

Qu focuses her magic on acrobatics, costume changing and traditional Chinese martial arts.

Award winning Xu Fengmei conjures bowls, fire pans and other items without the aid of an assistant, desk or props.

The World Championships of Magic are being at the National Convention Center in Beijing from Sunday to July 31.

(Global Times July 24, 2009)