Countries around the world celebrated the first International Taijiquan Day on March 21, and in the coastal city of Cotonou, Benin, a growing fascination with China's ancient martial art was on full display.

The event was initiated by the Chinese Cultural Center in Benin and organized by its Wushu team, with support from the Beninese Wushu Association. 

At a local sports complex, about 30 participants moved deliberately, almost meditating in motion, performing the slow, fluid gestures of Tai Chi. The session drew both seasoned practitioners and curious newcomers, unusual in a country where the discipline is still relatively new.

Leading the event was Fabrice Noudofinin, ambassador for the promotion of Sino-Beninese Wushu. “Taijiquan is an ancient Chinese discipline. It is therapeutic, combining slow, circular movements that harmonise mind and body,” Fabrice said, highlighting the art's connection to both physical health and mental clarity.

Though often framed as a sport, Tai Chi’s roots lie in meditation, breath control and precise movement. Its emphasis on balance and coordination sets it apart from conventional fitness routines, offering a way to bring calm and focus to daily life.

For many participants, the International Taijiquan Day event was a chance to reconnect with a practice that had become a personal lifeline. “I had stopped practising for some time, but when I heard about this event, I decided to come back. I also want to encourage others who stopped to return and join a Wushu club,” said Denon Herve, a local enthusiast.

Another participant, Dosseh Grace Fleur, highlighted the discipline's health benefits. 

“I've been practising Wushu since 2024, and what led me to take it up was my health. To avoid ending up in hospital, I believe the best thing is to practise Wushu, to keep fit, and to practise Tai Chi, which brings health, balance and harmony. It's like relaxation,” she said.

The growing popularity of Tai Chi in Benin reflects a broader strengthening of cultural ties between the West African nation and China. UNESCO's recognition of Tai Chi as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage in 2025 helped spur initiatives like Franck's, aiming to introduce more Beninese to the centuries-old Chinese practice.

For Franck and other organizers, this is only the beginning. With International Taijiquan Day now on the calendar, they hope the gentle movements of China's martial art will continue to expand across Benin, bringing health, balance, and a deeper connection to Chinese culture.

Edited by CGTN Africa reporter Marion Gachuhi