Tai chi added to Unesco intangible cultural heritage list, 12 years after China first applied for recognition of the ancient martial art

HONG KONG, Dec 20 (SCMP): Tai chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art and an internationally popular form of exercise, has been added to Unesco’s cultural heritage list.

For more than 10 years (its initial application was rejected in 2008) China has been trying to have tai chi – also known as taijiquan – recognised officially by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.