The 2nd World Shadowboxing and Health Conference is scheduled to be held from December 18 to 20, in this capital city of south China's Hainan Province.

Zeng Lingxuan, an official in charge of sports activities from the municipal government of Haikou, said that some 3,600 athletes from over 40 countries and regions would participate in the conference.

The goal of the conference was to push forward wushu's development worldwide and provide an opportunity for the world shadowboxing enthusiasts and researchers to exchange skills.

It is reported that some 100 million people practice shadowboxing in more than 150 countries and regions all over the world, among whom some 50 million are in China.

The 1st World Shadowboxing and Health Conference was held in Sanya, another scenic city of Hainan, in March 2001, when Juan Antonio Samaranch, the then president of the International Olympic Committee sent a letter saying highly of the conference.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2005)