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
As President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi started his state visit to China, some Chinese officials and analysts have emphasized growing economic cooperation and deepening strategic ties between the two countries.
Orsi, who is on a seven-day state visit to China, arrived in Beijing on Sunday, leading a senior delegation of officials and business leaders as Uruguay looks to deepen its growing trade and political partnership with China.
His visit coincides with the 38th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations on February 3.
Beef offers a tangible example of the strength of this relationship. For Uruguay, beef exports are a major economic driver, accounting for about 3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). China has become one of Uruguay's biggest markets for beef, with a steady demand for high-quality imports.
"When we visited Uruguay in recent years, Uruguay's beef producers said about half of their beef is going to China. The cattle there are raised free-range, and the country has a well-established tracking system, so their beef is reliable in terms of quality and safety," said Zhou Meng, deputy general manager of International Business at COFCO Joycome.
China is also a major buyer of Uruguay's soybeans and pulp. It overtook Brazil as Uruguay's top export destination in 2013 and has maintained that position ever since, driven by strong Chinese demand and efficient trade channels.
Beyond economic links, political ties remain robust. Every Uruguayan president has visited China since 2013, reflecting Montevideo's consistent support for closer engagement with Beijing.
With global tensions rising and shifting U.S. foreign policy in the region, regional leaders are navigating more complex waters.
"At present, [U.S. President Donald] Trump has warned Latin American countries not to cooperate with China. Yet Uruguay, one of the wealthiest countries in the region, still chose to engage with China, ignoring these U.S. warnings. I think this clearly has some strategic significance," said Xu Tianqi, deputy director of the Areas Study Department at the RDCY think tank.
Uruguay bolsters strategic, economic partnership with China: observers
