In Southern China, from at least the Ming dynasty 1368 – 1644, there existed a 'civil arrest' tradition that utilised Sai and Nunchaku to disarm and arrest an armed offender, and 'seizing and grappling' techniques to subdue and arrest an un-armed offender, without killing or maiming in either case. The object being to ensure an offender was given the opportunity, - required by law - to be detained according to the due process of law and rendered up in fit condition to face trial.

This was unquestionably a civil matter and not a military one, even though it must have involved or included members of the military too. The methods used and described above, were intended for use on behalf of the civil authorities and most likely pertained only to tackling and resolving incidences under civil jurisdiction!