Yang Jie (right) and Zhang Shen, the founders of TAIJI PLATFORM INTERNATIONAL, speak at a symposium in the Beijing Olympic Museum, Oct. 1, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

A symposium on Tai Chi brought together Chinese and German experts at the Beijing Olympic Museum on Oct. 1, highlighting the martial art's role as a cultural bridge and its growing relevance in modern society. The event emphasized Tai Chi's contribution to strengthening Chinese-German relations and fostering bilateral cooperation.

Yang Jie and Zhang Shen, founders of TAIJI PLATFORM INTERNATIONAL, spoke about how the practice aligns with the Olympic spirit of "Sport for All." They noted its unique capacity to extend athletic careers and provide sustainable exercise for people of all ages, positioning it as an ideal practice for global public health.

Chen Xiaohua, dean of the Chinese Academy of Lifestyle Design at the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, highlighted the philosophical connection between Tai Chi and the modern Olympic motto. Chen noted that the principle of "Together" resonates deeply with Tai Chi's emphasis on "harmony, inclusion, and yin-yang balance," sharing the goal of enhancing human health and nurturing a peaceful, dynamic society.

Chen presented Tai Chi as essential guidance for overcoming the challenges of the digital age.

"As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era, the Chinese philosophy of Tai Chi offers valuable insights for pursuing a healthy and well-balanced modern lifestyle," Chen said.

Chen stressed the need to steer technology to serve human health, ensuring it acts as a tool rather than dominating people's lives, and helping people achieve a balance between work and life, and technology and humanity.

"Tai Chi is not only an ancient Chinese wisdom but also a forward-looking philosophy of life," he said.

German participants highlighted the international dimension of the event, praising Tai Chi's unifying role across cultures and its power to deepen China-Germany ties.

Armin Korpus, a councilor from Germany's Birkenfeld district, speaks at a symposium in the Beijing Olympic Museum, Oct. 1, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Armin Korpus, a councilor from Germany's Birkenfeld district, commended Beijing for its achievement as the world's first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympics. He described the city and the Beijing Olympic Museum as a "vital bridge for dialogue."

Korpus expressed a strong interest in enhanced cooperation between German and Chinese enterprises in intangible cultural heritage protection and innovative design. He suggested Tai Chi could serve as a modern symbol linking tradition with innovation.

Oliver Weichold, a medical expert from German energy company RWE, shared his personal experience as a former Tsinghua University exchange student. He described integrating Tai Chi and traditional Chinese medicine with Western approaches in corporate health programs, applying Eastern wisdom to help employees manage stress and chronic diseases.

"Tai Chi is more than physical exercise; it's a gateway to understanding Chinese culture," Weichold said.

Jürgen Bohrer, a German gemstone entrepreneur, speaks at a symposium in the Beijing Olympic Museum, Oct. 1, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Jürgen Bohrer, a German gemstone entrepreneur, highlighted his company's long-term partnership with Chinese counterparts. He emphasized that "respect and mutual support are the cornerstone of true friendship," adding that both Eastern Tai Chi and Western gemstone craftsmanship represent shared contributions to humanity's cultural heritage.

"This enduring cooperation demonstrates how cultural exchange builds both economic success and lasting friendship," he said.

Liu Weiwei, women's swordsmanship champion of the 13th University Sports Games of Zhejiang Province, demonstrates the core Tai Chi movements known as the "Eight Techniques" and "Five Steps" during a symposium at the Beijing Olympic Museum, Oct. 1, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The symposium also featured a key announcement from Yang Bin of the China International Science Exchange Foundation that Tai Chi Quan and Tai Chi Fan will debut as competitive sports at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

"This represents more than a competitive milestone — it signifies the global arrival of Tai Chi wisdom, offering this ancient practice a vibrant new stage to inspire youth worldwide," Yang said.

The symposium was a highlighted event within the Beijing Olympic Museum's eight-day carnival, running from Oct. 1-8 during China's National Day holiday, which features a blend of sports, culture and art. Visitors can enjoy cultural exhibits, hands-on activities and live events.