No hit: Taiji softball

Taiji softball is emerging as a national sport in China. It's the only sport in the world which is characterized by striking the ball indirectly. Taiji softball has three basic movements: receiving, leading and throwing. The sport focuses on harmony and cooperative thinking, and incorporates the Taijiquan "Wears away the rock with water, the introduction to gather" characteristics.

In the game of Taiji softball, the ball, the racket, the human body, the player's thoughts and the other players fuse together to form a unified whole. It is not about confrontation and coercion in the form of hitting, but rather about understanding and acting in a considerate manner in relation to that unity.

The eighth Ethnic Minorities Traditional Games in Beijing were held in Fengtai district this week. Taiji softball was included in the games for the first time.