Li Ning: magic tricks all about surprises and amazement

After China's master magician Li Ning crossed the Yangtze River in 15 seconds on Sunday night, there's been a surge of interest in the young magician's profile. Let's find out more about him.

Close up magic tricks like these are a piece of cake for Li Ning. He first began learning magic tricks when he was 16 and is now a renowned magician, known for his grand magic stunts.

Li Ning said, "Magic tricks, whether small or grand, are in essence about surprises and amazement. But because each trick is different, the experience of the audience for each stunt is also different."

Magician Albert Tam said, "I think Li Ning's success comes from his persistence and hard work, it's more challenging in China to be a magician because people tend to have a more conservative outlook towards magicians."

But Li Ning overcame his early challenges and got his big break in 2001 by becoming the only Asian ever to win the "Gold Magic Stick" award at the Monte Carlo International Magic Competition.