On April 14, at the Juyongguan Great Wall, 24 Tai Chi enthusiasts from the Norwegian Tai Chi Center joined fellow practitioners from the Beijing Wushu Association for a cultural exchange,  engaging in dialogue about Tai Chi philosophy and martial arts. By bringing together a World Cultural Heritage site and the intangible cultural heritage of Tai Chi, the event aimed to promote both cultures, enhance the global presence of Tai Chi, and foster friendship and mutual understanding between the Chinese and Norwegian people.

During the event, Norwegian and Chinese participants performed Tai Chi routines with fans and swords, and exchanged skills in Tai Chi push-hands － a form of partner training in Tai Chi. Pamela, the founder of the Norwegian Tai Chi Center, said it was an amazing experience to practice Tai Chi on the Great Wall with Beijing enthusiasts. She described Tai Chi as not only a form of self-cultivation but also an excellent way to understand traditional Chinese culture and philosophy.

Johan Votvik, a retired journalist in his seventies and a first-time visitor to China, shared that he has been practicing Tai Chi for nearly 20 years and continues to be inspired by its depth and beauty. He has also encouraged local residents in his hometown to practice Tai Chi with him. At the end of the exchange, the Norwegian participants held jasmine flowers and sang the beloved Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower" in Mandarin, expressing their heartfelt hope that Tai Chi may serve as a cultural bridge to bring the people of China and Norway closer together.

(Source: Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries)