Pan Xiao De is the father of the current head of the Weng Gong Ci Martial Club in Yongchun, Pan Chengmiao. He was a renowned martial artist as well as Orthopedist. He was born first of 7 children in April 1881 in the region of Dapu, Yongchun county, and passed away in 1969, aged 88 in Wulijie, City of Yongchun. His ancestor is Pan Sai, who was one of the 28 extraordinary talented students of Fang Qiniang, founder of Yongchun Baihequan (see History of Baihequan).
At the age of 11 he started learning Baihequan with his father’s elder brother Pan Zhentuan. Aged 16 he left school and dedicated himself to martial arts exclusively: Pan Zhentuan taught him empty hand forms, weapons and sparring, and later made him his teaching assistant. He also taught him Chinese Osteopathy, and at the age of 15 he became a student at a Clinic for bone injuries. Over the years he became famous and well-respected near and far for both martial arts and medicine. In June 1928 together with his family he moved to Wulijie, City of Yongchun.
In summer 1928 he attended the First National Examination for Martial Artists at Nanjing, and together with seven participants from Yongchun (the overall number being 24) he was graded Zhuangshi (i.e. Hero or Warrior). Later this year the “National School for Martial Arts/Department Yongchun, Fujian” was founded in the shrine of Weng Gong (the Weng Gong Ci), which was directly affiliated to the National Institute. One of the Zhuangshi named Lin Baoshan was appointed Head of the Weng Gong Ci, Pan Xiaode was appointed head coach. Several months later he was also appointed as referee.
In August 1928 the martial artists of Yongchun formed a delegation which then went to Singapore and Malaysia following an invitation of Chen Jiageng, head of the “South Asian Association of Patriotic Overseaschinese”. This was the first international visit of a chinese martial delegation ever.
Besides the martial arts demonstrations Pan Xiaode gratuitously treated chinese people living in Singapore/Malaysia, and so he was asked to stay for a while. He founded several private schools in the region and practiced medicine. In July 1929 he returned home together with five students.
In the following decades he lived and worked there for Baihequan and medicine. In his home region his name is also well known as initiator of various important medical innovations. His part was so important that although he repeatedly applied for retirement, he was asked to continue his work throughout his entire life. Additionally he practiced Baihequan at the top of his house daily until 15 days before his passing on the 4th of january 1969.