(18 June 2016, Wenzhou, Zhejiang)

1. A grand event to launch the celebration of the 2nd International Day of Yoga (IDY) in the Eastern China Region was jointly organized by Consulate General of India, Shanghai along with Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government today.

2. The 2nd IDY celebration was launched at the prestigious Century Plaza and nearly 1000 yoga lovers from Wenzhou weathered strong rains to participate in the Yoga celebrations. It may be noted that in the Eastern China Region, Wenzhou, was the first city to host the 2nd IDY launch, which would be celebrated this coming week in nine cities in Eastern China from 18 – 26 June.

3. Giving the inaugural address at the IDY launch, Vice Mayor of Wenzhou, Mr. Miao Weilun welcomed the introduction of Yoga culture into Wenzhou and stated that just like Buddhism had bound two great Indian and Chinese civilization together, Yoga also had the potential to promote values of harmony and peace between India and China.

4. Consulate General of India Shanghai had arranged through local resources a Chinese speaking Indian Yoga teacher, who conducted the Yoga session for the nearly 1000 Yoga practitioners, based on the Common Yoga Protocol sent by the Department of AYUSH. The event was extremely well received by the large number of Yoga follower community in Wenzhou.

5. Separately, earlier on 17 June, along with Wenzhou Municipal People’s Government, an India Culture Week was also inaugurated in Wenzhou, which featured an Indian Film Festival, Indian Food Festival and an Exhibition of Indian paintings, which would be on display till 23rd June.

6. It may be noted that in the Eastern China region of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, 2nd IDY celebrations are being organized by CGI Shanghai from 18 – 26 June, one day each across nine cities in ECR, with theme of “Nine cities, Nine Days, Bringing together 9000 Yoga Lovers closer to India”! Each of the venues chosen in the nine cities, i.e. Wenzhou (was held today), Wuxi, Shanghai, Yiwu, Shaoxing, Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou and Ningbo, will be at prestigious open public spaces with participation from atleast 1000 people at each venue.

Shanghai
18 June 2016