China launches new integrated tai chi platform

Executives and collaborators pose for a group photo after launching the new People's Tai Chi platform at a ceremony held in Beijing on March 31, 2019. [Photo/ China.org.cn]

A new tai chi platform launched in Beijing on March 31 in an effort to promote tai chi, as well as people's health.

The sports section of the People's Daily initiated the People's Tai Chi platform which aims to popularize tai chi health practice and philosophy, while promoting the martial art and boosting the culture.

At the launching ceremony, Zhu Kai, director of the sports department at People's Daily and the president of the People's Sports, said the platform will integrate sports and medical care; develop sports prescriptions for occupational, chronic and common diseases; promote care of the elderly; and spread traditional culture.

"By promoting tai chi's development, we can promote the integration of tai chi boxing and culture into our lives and help build a healthy China," he said.

A plan to advocate the development of sports programs – known as Healthy China 2030 – was approved by China's central government in 2016, in a bid to prevent disease and encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles. The plan also includes measures to promote traditional ethnic and folk sports including tai chi.

Yang Haibin, deputy director of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, believes Chinese martial arts should closely integrate with people's lives. "We need to get more young people to love martial arts. Tai chi is not only the sport for the elderly, but also for the youth. We want to make it fashionable."

Zhu Kai, director of the sports department of People's Daily and the president of the People's Sports, speaks at a launch ceremony for the new People's Tai Chi platform in Beijing on March 31, 2019. [Photo/ China.org.cn]

Wang Haitao, dean of the School of Continuing Education of Peking Union Medical College, pointed out it's time break out of the wall of the hospital, and let the hospital's professionals and China's traditional sports and hobbies be combined to have positive and health prospect, which can effectively manage and control the chronic diseases.

According to Zhang Shan, the former vice chairman of Chinese Wushu Association, the number of people practicing tai chi in the country exceeds 50 million, while more than 150 countries and regions carry out tai chi programs. Around the globe, more than 150 million people practice tai chi.

People's Tai Chi platform also unites several organizations and institutes to found the People's Tai Chi Development Alliance, aiming to mobilize forces from the wider society and around world to promote tai chi. Later, more than 30 famous tai chi masters from different styles become tai chi culture promotion ambassadors for the first public health campaign of alliance.

Hong Weiguo, a Hong-style tai chi master who lives and teaches in New Zealand, told China.org.cn that he believes the platform can go beyond the differences of styles and form a united voice to promote the Chinese traditional culture and sport.

"As tai chi promotional ambassadors, and as practitioners and teachers, we not only promote tai chi boxing, but also promote the Chinese civilization for the world to see. This is our mission," Hong said.

Tai Chi masters, executives of collaborating companies and guests pose for a group photo after launching the new People's Tai Chi platform and initiating the first public health campaign of newly founded People's Tai Chi Development Alliance in Beijing on March 31, 2019. [Photo/ China.org.cn]