Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their growing partnership in cultural exchange, sports and public health as stakeholders gathered in Abuja to mark the maiden International Taijiquan Day.
The event, themed “China-Nigeria Good Partners – Celebration of International Taijiquan Day,” was organised by the China Cultural Centre in partnership with the Chinese Wushu Association, and held on Wednesday in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the event, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described Taijiquan as a globally recognised symbol of Chinese culture with a history spanning hundreds of years. He noted that the practice was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020 and is now practiced by hundreds of millions of people in over 180 countries.
Yang explained that the designation of March 21 as International Taijiquan Day by the UNESCO General Conference in 2025 reflects the growing global appreciation of the discipline, which promotes harmony, balance and a healthy lifestyle.
“Taijiquan is not only a cultural treasure but also contributes significantly to physical and mental wellbeing, with proven benefits for managing chronic diseases and enhancing mental health,” he said.
The Counsellor said China remains committed to implementing outcomes from the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, particularly in expanding cultural exchanges and strengthening bilateral cooperation between both nations.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the celebration as a unique convergence of culture, education, health and sport, stressing its relevance in advancing diplomacy between Nigeria and China.
“It is a very exciting and unique event that brings together multiple aspects of human development. We endorse it and will continue to support such initiatives,” he said.
Dikko commended the organisers for creating opportunities for Nigerian youths, noting that the practice of Taijiquan promotes healthy living and educational development. He assured of Nigeria’s continued collaboration with China to strengthen bilateral ties through sports and cultural initiatives, in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on shared prosperity.
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat of the FCT, Olubunmi Olowookere, highlighted the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering closer people-to-people relations between both countries.
She described Taijiquan as a “moving meditation” that integrates physical fitness with mental and emotional wellbeing, offering solutions to modern lifestyle challenges such as stress and related illnesses.
“In our fast-paced world, the principles of Taijiquan provide a powerful antidote. It promotes balance not just physically, but mentally and emotionally,” she said.
Olowookere noted that the inclusive nature of Taijiquan makes it suitable for integration into community development programmes, as it requires no expensive equipment and can be practiced by people of all ages.
She encouraged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace the discipline and incorporate it into schools and communities to promote healthier and more cohesive societies.
The event featured live demonstrations of Taijiquan, Taiji sword and fan routines by local enthusiasts, alongside cultural performances aimed at deepening mutual understanding between Nigeria and China.
On November 5, 2025, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved a resolution designating March 21 as International Taijiquan Day, marking the first time an international day is named after a martial art within the UN system.
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