The occasion is the Second International Taijiquan Annual Gathering and nearly 1,000 taijiquan aces from 21 countries and 23 provinces in China will take part in the event.

Taijiquan is a form of traditional Chinese shadow boxing. It is believed to strengthen people's health and is becoming increasingly popular among people.

Jiaozuo is near the birthplace of taijiquan and the annual meeting will include competitions, lectures, performances and free instruction.

At the same time, the city will also hold a tourist festival and Jiaozuo Scenery International Photographic Festival.

Jiaozuo lies in the northwest of Henan Province and covers an area of about 4,000 square kilometers with a population of more than 3 million people.

Athletic sports have developed steadily in Jiaozuo and many successful athletes like Chen Zhong, who won the gold medal in the women's 67-kilogram taekwondo competition at the 27th Olympic Games.

Jiaozuo is also famous for its beautiful scenery. The Yuntai Hill, the Red Emperor Altar and the Qingtian River are well-known scenic spots, and ancient scholars like Han Yu and Li Shangyin in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) were both born in Jiaozuo.

The aim of the event is to build friendships through the exchange of martial arts, introduce Jiaozuo to the world and promote the entrance of Chinese martial arts into the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

(China Daily August 20, 2002)