Hu: Taiji can promote ties

By Li Xing (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-02-17 19:14

President Hu Jintao Tuesday visited a Chinese culture center in Port Louis, capital of Mauritius, highlighting the importance of culture in promoting ties.

After watching Mauritian children practice taiji, Hu said the traditional form of martial art has a greater role than just building up bodies.

“Through taiji, you can learn about Chinese culture, and more importantly it promotes friendship,” he said.

The president read a poem with the students by Song Dynasty poet Su Shi, which lauds the beauty of the West Lake in Zhejiang province.

“Learning Chinese will pave the way for better exchanges between Chinese and Mauritian people,” he said.

The center, the first culture facility that the Chinese government opened overseas, has expanded over the past 20 years. Its visitors have included successive Mauritian presidents and prime ministers.

It has also hosted arts and photo exhibitions, performances and film festivals.