The Taijiquan Salon for Diplomats in China is underway in Beijing on June 6 (COURTESY PHOTO) 

Over 100 expats from 40 countries, including diplomats, representatives of international organizations and international students in China, gathered in Beijing's Chaoyang District to experience the depths of traditional Chinese culture through the practice of tai chi, known in China as taijiquan. 

Wang Shiting, Secretary of the Communist Party of China China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU) Committee, said that as a form of intangible cultural heritage,tai chi serves as a bridge and bond for countries around the world to understand Chinese culture and foster mutual recognition among people from different nations and regions.

"We are delighted to see tai chi enthusiasts worldwide actively practicing in communities, parks, sporting venues and other places, as tai chi gains increasing admiration from people across the globe," Wang added.

Wang made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Taijiquan Salon for Diplomats in China, which was held in Beijing on June 6. The event was co-hosted by the CFAU, the Wushu Administration Center of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), Asia Pacific Daily newspaper and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Chaoyang District, Beijing.

Zhang Yuping, Director of the Wushu Sports Management Center of GASC and Secretary General of the International Wushu Federation, expressed hopes for collaboration with countries around the world to advance wushu culture and realize the vision of "building friendship through martial arts and achieving shared harmony."

Jin Wensheng，President of Asia Pacific Daily, said he hopes friends from many countries will deepen mutual understanding and foster friendly cooperation through this salon.

Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, said that tai chi may appear simple but is actually highly challenging, requiring profound inner focus, discipline and composure. He also expressed his hope to deepen Pakistan-China relations through salons of this kind, which allow people to experience and appreciate China's intangible cultural heritage and enable direct engagement, offering opportunities to learn, reflect and grow.

During the event, participants moved outdoors to learn and practice tai chi together. Many expressed how much they had gained from the experience. Adolfo Martínez from Guatemala said that this ancient Eastern philosophy not only guides people's daily actions but also helps people achieve self-improvement—by harmonizing inner energy to reach a state of physical and mental balance.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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