The World Conference on Wudang Tai Chi has commenced on Saturday at Wudang Mountains in central China's Hubei Province, facilitating cultural exchange and martial arts training internationally.
As a comprehensive festival, the event integrates sports competitions, cultural tourism, theoretical research, and economic and trade activities.
The three-day conference has lured a diverse group of participants, including more than 1,400 athletes from 45 countries and regions, along with over 500 experts, scholars, and representatives from martial arts associations worldwide.
Activities including international Tai Chi competitions and Tai Chi cultural forums are especially organized to keep fueling the enthusiasm of both in-person and online audiences.
Wudang Mountain, a world-renowned Taoist sacred site and the birthplace of Tai Chi culture, has been attracting Taoist culture enthusiasts from around the globe for centuries. With the prosperity of the Internet, the influence of Wudang martial arts and culture has been further amplified in recent years.
According to statistics, there are currently over 100 million people practicing Tai Chi in more than 150 countries and regions, with Tai Chi organizations established in over 80 countries and regions.
Int'l Tai Chi conference in China's Wudang Mountains brings together global enthusiasts
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering "winding down" the U.S. military strikes against Iran, claiming the United States is "getting very close to" meeting its objectives.
"We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East" with respect to Iran, Trump said on Truth Social.
The objectives Trump outlined include degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing it from ever approaching nuclear capability and protecting U.S. allies across the region.
Also on Friday, Trump said that he does not want a ceasefire with Iran.
"We can have dialogue, but you know, I don't want to do a ceasefire," Trump told reporters before he departed the White House for Florida, noting "You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side."
"U.S. government says one thing, reality says another," Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Friday on X, questioning White House's repeated claims that Iran's air defenses and Navy have been destroyed.
Trump on Truth Social also said that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy waterway, should be secured by the countries that rely on it and Washington would assist if asked.
"The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it -- The United States does not! If asked, we will help these Countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated," Trump added.
The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on Feb 28, disrupting global shipping, sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy.
Trump says considering "winding down" strikes on Iran
