By CCTV.com Reporter Zhang Rui

Twenty Indian yoga ambassadors and Chinese yogis practiced yoga together for the first time on the Great Wall, symbolizing a cultural milestone. The embassy of India in China, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and YOGI yoga held the event to celebrate the International Day of Yoga at the Juyong Pass of the Great Wall on Tuesday.

“The Great Wall is not just the most famous monument in China, it is the most famous Chinese monument in the world. So when people see the Great Wall, they think China, and they want to combine the symbol of China with the symbol of India,” said Amit Narang, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Beijing.

Twenty Indian yoga ambassadors and Chinese yogis practiced yoga together for the first time on the Great Wall, symbolizing a cultural milestone.

India's Minister of State for External Affairs Vijay Kumar Singh, who is attending the BRICS in Beijing, delivered a speech and also practiced yoga. He said yoga is a gift from Indian civilization to the world, which is good for physical and mental health.

“Yoga is meant for health, it is meant for wellness of the body. It is meant for making your mind better. That is why it has three parts. The first part is yoga posture and exercises. They prepare you for pranayama, which is breathing exercises. And the third part is meditation. All these three combined make you a better person and make you better, make you sharper and make you more than intelligent, and make your ailments go away and make you look beautiful,” Singh said.

This event promoted friendly cultural exchanges between India and China, highlighting yoga's contribution to human health.

Declared an international day by the U.N. in 2014 after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a global celebration of yoga, the International Day of Yoga aims to raise further awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.