Feature: Chinese Taiji sees continuous development since introduction into Lithuania

Taiji, which is very popular in China, was introduced to Lithuania in 2005 after the then mayor of Vilnius Arturas Zuokas went to China and was deeply impressed by people there practicing Taiji.

And now, the first Taiji championship is held in Vilnius on Saturday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Taiji's introduction into Lithuania.

Wang Xiyin, a Chinese who has been living in Lithuania for more than 20 years, is one of the coaches in the past 10 years.

Wang said the activity had been developed soundly in the past years. People who are learning Taiji have benefited both physically and mentally, according to Wang.

Lina Dauksaite, a student of Wang, has been practicing Taiji for more than four years.

"I used to sit in front of computer for a long time for work and had a problem with my backbones a few years ago. So I decided to do some sport," she said.

"I was not interested in sport before. When searching on the internet, I noticed a gym where there was Taiji, and after reading some articles and watching some films, I started doing this," she added.

According to Dauksaite, Taiji makes her calmer than before. It is a sport that cultivates both physical and mental health.

After four years of practice, she is one of the best students of Wang. Besides leading her mates in many performances, she also got the first position in her group during Saturday's competition. Yet she said she could be better.

"I was a little nervous to do that in front of many people and the judges. I hope that practicing Taiji will make me less nervous under these conditions in the future," she said.

Edita, another student of Wang for more than four years, told Xinhua that Taiji changes her thinking style and her inner world.

Besides herself, Edita's husband and his nine years old son are also practicing Taiji. The family participated in Saturday's competition.

Wang told Xinhua that when he just arrived in Lithuania two decades ago, not many people would ask him about China.

But during recent years, as China has achieved tremendous development and become more influential, people are becoming more and more interested in China and its culture.

This brought Wang more and more students of all ages for Taiji and made the activity more popular than before.

According to Wang, the government of Vilnius has supplied several places for people to practice Taiji.

Mantas Paulauskas, director of Health City office of Vilnius, told Xinhua that Taiji is a very good sport for people's health. With help from China's embassy and efforts from the local government, more and more people are joining the practicing groups of Taiji in Vilnius.

"I hope this movement will grow up in Lithuania, too, not only in Vilnius," he said.

Saturday's Taiji championship in Lithuania attracts more than 30 participants from Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and Belarus. Endit