--------Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency)

Beijing, 19th September: The State General Administration of Sport (SGAS) recently issued "The Provisional Administrative Methods on Qigong," in a bid to ensure the healthy development of the traditional Chinese sport.

Qigong, or the Deep-Breath Medication, is a traditional Chinese sport and a component of the Chinese culture, but in recent years, some people have been making illegal profits, spreading superstitious ideas under the name of practising Qigong, according to the SGAS.

These problems have severely affected the normal practice of Qigong and been detrimental to the interests of the people, it said, stressing that the authorities are determined to crack down these harmful activities and encourage healthy Qigong.

The new rules have been stipulated by revising and improving an existing document entitled "Administrative Methods on Qigong" issued by the former State Physical Culture and Sports Commission (SPCSC) in 1998.

The new document comprises a general principle and eight chapters to govern various aspects concerning the practice of Qigong.

Local government departments in charge of physical culture and sports are responsible for administering and organizing Qigong activities, according to the document, which also have specific regulations on the setting-up of Qigong-practising stations and demands that all Qigong coaches must meet the qualification after strict training and examination.

It makes it clear that the official sports departments are the authoritative administration of non-government groups engaged in Qigong, while these groups should act as a bridge between the official sports departments and Qigong practitioners.

"The Administrative Methods on Qigong" and "The Methods on the Appraisal of Technical Grades of Physical-Training Qigong (Trial)", which were issued by the former SPCSC in February 1998, were abolished upon the issuance of the new methods.
　　
　　(From HealthWorld Online)