The first Yoga College in China is to be set up at the Yunnan University of Nationalities. The college is expected to spread Indian culture in China and plans to begin student admissions in September.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China from May 14 to 16, the Yunnan University of Nationalities and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations signed a cooperation memorandum for the Yoga College on May 15. The memorandum was listed among the China India Joint Statement.

The Yoga College will invite Yoga masters from India to give Yoga courses at different levels of difficulty. Other than Yoga practice, there are also courses on Indian culture and philosophy. All students who enroll at the college will have the chance to study at the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in India and those who qualify will be granted with international Yoga training certificates.

The Yoga College is designed to provide a platform for China and India to improve cooperation and understanding in areas of culture and education and to promote Yunnan in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is also aimed at helping carry out the strategy of the BCIM Economic Corridor, which covers Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar.

The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga is the only Yoga school that has been set up by the government of India. It engages in the teaching, research and international communication on Yoga science, culture and medicine.

Edited by Jacob Hooson