体坛英语新闻：Lithuania marks World Tai Chi & Qigong Day

VILNIUS, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's capital of Vilnius celebrated World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday, with more than 100 performers from 9 clubs demonstrating Tai Chi to a big audiences.

"When I was in China almost 10 years ago, I was impressed by so many people performing Tai Chi almost everywhere," said Mayor of Vilnius Arturas Zuokas in an interview with Xinhua.

"I came back to Vilnius and found some local instructors," he added, "and China's embassy also sent some Tai Chi professionals to Vilnius to help us."

"We organized 10 public places where instructors provide lessons for those who want to practice Tai Chi," Zuokas said, "we have been doing this for 10 years."

"There are about 2,000 people who practice Tai Chi in Vilnius almost every day," he stressed.

"This type of practice is really helpful for people's health, and as mayor, I really thank those who helped us."

Huang He, Charge d'affaires of China's embassy to Lithuania told Xinhua that this practice would help Lithuanians know more about Chinese culture and also solidify the foundation of the mutual understandings between the two people.

"The embassy will support this kind of activities in the future to help enhance our mutual relations," Huang added.

Tai Chi is one of China's traditional martial arts (or Kongfu), and has been widely practised around the world for defence training and health benefits.

The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is celebrated each year on the last Saturday of April and is part of World Health Organization's calendar as one of the "healthy events" linked to the World Health Day.