Shandong targets socioeconomic progress via cultural exchanges

Moroccan visitor Aimma (left) learned Chinese calligraphy during her stay in Mengzhi subdistrict, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the county-level city of Zhaoyuan in East China's Shandong province, more local communities are integrating culture and industry in an effort to boost socioeconomic progress.

Han Jiali, an official from Mengzhi subdistrict, said the idea was to attract foreign visitors via local culture as a means of growing the regional economy.

Moroccan visitor Aimma and others recently toured the Wali community in Mengzhi, learning Tai Chi and Chinese calligraphy.

Tai Chi integrates healthy living and traditional martial arts, emphasizing the unity of body and mind. Following the movements of Tai Chi teachers, Aimma imitates every move and gesture, "Tai Chi is not only a way of fitness, but also a philosophy of life," Aimma said.