Political advisor urges Taijiquan’s inclusion into world heritage list

A Chinese political advisor called for the early inclusion of Taijiquan in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, as it could offer better protection for the slow-motion Chinese traditional shadowboxing.

“As a symbol of Chinese culture, Taijiquan is a combination of martial art, medicine, philosophy and art,” said Si Fuchun, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China’s top political advisory body.

“I think Taijiquan deserves to be recommended by the state and be included in the UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Intangible Cultural Heritage List,” Si said on the sidelines of the CPPCC's annual session.

Taijiquan’s development in modern China is facing a difficult situation, as many traditional Taijiquan skills are being lost in the country’s rapid industrialization process, said Si, who is also vice president of the Basic Medicine School with Henan Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

He said including Taijiquan in the UNESCO list will help promote China's traditional culture in the world and arouse greater protection awareness.

Taijiquan, also known as Tai Chi, is usually seen as a slow-motion physical exercise routine that groups of people practice every morning in hundreds of parks across China.

Edited by Fu Bo and Tom McGregor