On 22th May 2017 the Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine (CITCM) hosted a signing ceremony to mark the establishment of the London International Qigong Centre. The centre was cofounded with the Health and Qigong Federation UK (HQFUK) and is located at London South Bank University. The centre will enhance the practice of Qigong in the UK by developing cooperation and facilitating related events.
The signing ceremony was attended by VIP guests including Mr. Yang Chunbo, Chairman of Health Qigong Federation International and Mr. Lei Fengyun, Chief Representative UK-China association for exchange of international personnel.
During their speeches, both Mr. Yang and Mr. Lei expressed their belief that ‘the development of Qigong requires the support of academic research’. They proposed integrating traditional Qigong practices with modern techniques, and suggested promoting Qigong through China-Britain cultural exchanges. Professor Xu Yinong, Executive Director of CITCM, recalled the video recorded by Prince Charles for CITCM’s previous Health and Wellbeing Conference and wished that the Qigong Centre will facilitate cooperation on the study of health development.
CITCM’s martial artists delivered a spectacular performance which included Tai chi and mantis boxing; this was followed by a Qigong performance from a British student who studied with HQFUK
Overall the event was hugely successful and CITCM looks forwards to seeing the centre develop.