On November 5 local time, the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The conference and adopted a resolution to designate March 21 each year (the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere) as the "International Taijiquan Day." This is the first international day named after one of wushu events in the United Nations system, marking the widespread global recognition of Taijiquan's important value and serving as a vivid practice of the Global Civilization Initiative.
The participating representatives stated that the establishment of “International Taijiquan Day” is a significant and far-reaching decision by UNESCO, which holds great importance in enhancing the overall health and well-being of humanity, deepening exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and fostering world peace and development.
Taijiquan originated in China and integrates the essence of philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine, and wushu. Grounded in the theoretical foundation of “balance between yin and yang, harmony between strength and gentleness,” it has evolved over centuries into various technical styles such as Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun. With hundreds of millions of practitioners worldwide, it has spread to over 180 countries and regions. In 2020, Taijiquan was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The establishment of “International Taijiquan Day” further highlights its core principles of balance, peace, harmonious coexistence, and mutual respect, as well as its unique value in cultural heritage, public health, and sustainable development.
Choosing March 21st as “International Taijiquan Day” not only aligns with the natural rhythm of the spring equinox, characterized by “balanced day and night, moderated cold and heat,” but also resonates with Taijiquan’s philosophical concept of “harmony between humanity and nature.” This date symbolizes the harmony of yin and yang while embodying the cosmological view that “One begets Two, Two begets Three, and Three begets all things.” It reflects a profound convergence between traditional culture and modern practice.
Scientific research has demonstrated that Taijiquan has significant effects in improving chronic diseases and enhancing mental health. Its concept of “preventive treatment” is increasingly being incorporated into global public health systems.
The International Wushu Federation holds the World Taijiquan Championships every two years. Additionally, Taijiquan athletes showcase their skills in other IWUF events such as the World Wushu Championships, World Junior Wushu Championships, World Kungfu Championships, and the Taolu World Cup. Taijiquan has also been included in the wushu competition program for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
