On April 26, the "World Tai Chi Day" co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Sri Lanka was grandly held at the Independence Square in Colombo. Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Gamage attended and delivered speeches. More than 200 Tai Chi enthusiasts, includingDeputy Minister of Education Senevirathna and Secretary to Western Province Provincial CouncilWijewardana attended the event.

Qi Zhenhong said that Tai Chi is an important philosophical concept in China, emphasizing the law of nature, the balance of yin and yang, and the unity of man and nature.Tai Chi Quan is a traditional Chinese martial art with profound cultural and health concepts. China-Sri Lanka’s cultural exchanges have a long history, and the widespread popularity of Tai Chi in Sri Lanka vividly reflects the deep integration of our cultures and the people-to-people bond.It is hoped that by holding the "World Tai Chi Day", the cultural and sports exchanges and cooperation between the two nations will be further strengthened and the traditional friendship between us will be further enhanced.

Gamage said that the core value of Tai Chi is highly consistent with Sri Lankan culture. Sri Lanka is willing to popularize Tai Chi, the healthy sport that is beneficial to the body and mind, to young people through multiple channels. We are willing to use Tai Chi as a link to promote the friendship between the young people of the two nations from generation to generation.

Independence Square was decorated with red lanterns. Colorful flags fluttered in the air, and the crowd was bustling. Theslow, graceful movements and lightning-quick strikes of Tai Chi Quan, Tai Chi fan and Tai Chi sword performanceswere brilliant and drew rounds of applause.

CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, Legal Daily, Phoenix TV and other Chinese media, Ceylon Today, Virakesari, Sri Lanka Guardian and othermore than 10 Sri Lankan media have widely reported on the event.