BEIJING: If there is one form of Indian posturing that China supports even at multilateral forums, and allows its citizens to adopt freely, it is Yoga.
On Saturday, many cities across China began week-long programmes to mark the second International Day of Yoga, which falls on June 21.
Local governments joined hands with the Indian embassy and consulates across China to organise Yoga classes, with teachers flown in from India and thousands of Chinese expected to take part .
On Saturday morning, more than 600 Chinese practitioners took part in a Yoga session in Beijing’s biggest park. Five Indian teachers guided them.
Indian diplomat Bala Bhaskar read out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on the second Yoga day: “Yoga is more than a physical exercise – it enables us to access a new dimension of the self.”
The Indian consulate in Shanghai helped organise Yoga sessions in nine cities, beginning with Wenzhou on Saturday. Shanghai will hold a session on June 21 that is expected to attract a large number of Chinese followers.