Preparations have started on the application to UNESCO of Chen-style shadowboxing for the title of masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage, said a local official in central China's Henan Province.

Chinese shadow-boxing, commonly known as tai chi, or taiji, is an internal Chinese martial art. Gentle and slow, tai chi is best known by the slow motion routines groups of people practice every morning in hundreds of parks across China and, increasingly, other parts of the world.

Tai chi theory and practice was formulated in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy, and aesthetics.

In today's China, there are five major styles of tai chi, each named after the Chinese family that created it, including Chen style, Yang style, Wu style and Sun style. Chen-style is one of the most popular.

Chen-style originated in Wenxian County under Jiaozuo, a city in Henan about 700 kilometers south of Beijing. The birthplace of Chen-style Tai Chi was traditionally, and controversially, credited to Chen Wangting (1600-1680), who developed the system of physical exercises based on the patrimonial boxing of the Chen family.

An official with Jiaozuo said Chen-style Tai Chi was an important legacy of Chinese culture.

One of the birthplaces of Chinese tai chi, Jiaozuo has hosted seven international tai chi games which are held annually. The city government of Jiaozuo has also set up a research institute for the study of tai chi, which the official said would help illuminate Chen-style.

The official said the application of Chen-style for the title of masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage was a good opportunity for people in other parts of the world to better understand tai chi.

UNESCO introduced the title in 2001. That year saw the proclamation of 19 of the world's most remarkable examples of oral and intangible heritage. Two years later, UNESCO proclaimed another 28 around the world.

Among the 47 masterpieces, China has two, namely Kunqu Opera and the art of guqin music. Kunqu, China's oldest and one of its most influential theatrical traditions, was selected and proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001. The art of guqin music, which has existed for 3,000 years and represents China's foremost solo musical instrument tradition, was selected in 2003.

(China Daily June 10, 2005)