Preparations have started on the application of Chen-style shadowboxing for the title of masterpieces of oral and intangible heritage, proclaimed by UNESCO, said a local official in central China's Henan province.

Chinese shadowboxing, commonly known as Tai Chi, or Taiji, is an internal Chinese martial art. Gentle and slow, Tai Chi is best known as the slow motion routines groups of people practice every morning in hundreds of parks across China and, increasingly, other parts of the world.

Tai Chi theory and practice was formulated in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, philosophy, and aesthetics.

In today's China, there are five major styles of Tai Chi, each named after the Chinese family that created it, including Chen style, Yang style, Wu style and Sun style. Chen-style is one of the most popular.

Chen-style originated in Wenxian County under Jiaozuo, a city in Henan about 700 km south of Beijing. The birthplace of Chen- style Tai Chi was traditionally, and controversially, credited to Chen Wangting (1600-1680), who developed the system of physical exercises based on the patrimonial boxing of the Chen family.

An official with Jiaozuo city said Chen-style Tai Chi is an important legacy of Chinese civilization.

One of the birthplaces of Chinese Tai Chi, Jiaozuo has hosted seven international Tai Chi games held annually. The city government of Jiaozuo has also set up a research institute for the study of Tai Chi, which the official said would help illuminate more about the Chen-style.

The official said the application of Chen-style for the title of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage was a good opportunity for people in other parts of the world to better understand Tai Chi.

The title of masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity was introduced by UNESCO, a UN agency, in 2001. That year saw the proclamation of 19 of the world's most remarkable examples of the oral and intangible heritage. Two years later, UNESCO proclaimed another 28 masterpieces around the world.

Among the 47 masterpieces, China has two, namely Kunqu Opera and the Art of Guqin Music. Kunqu, China's oldest and one of its most influential theatrical traditions, was selected and proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001. The art of guqin music, which has existed for 3,000 years and represents China's foremost solo musical instrument tradition, was selected in 2003.