A regulation on the development and revitalization of Go in Quzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, was approved and will take effect on April 1, according to local media reports.

This is the first time China has created legislation related to Go.

The Quzhou International Weiqi Cultural Exchange Center in Quzhou, Zhejiang. [Photo/qz828.com]

Quzhou has been dubbed the birthplace of Go or weiqi culture. The story of woodsman Wang Zhi playing weiqi on Lanke Mountain with immortals was told as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420).

This is the first time in history that Chinese Go has been promoted through law, said Lin Jianchao, chairman of the Chinese Weiqi Association.

According to the regulation, various measures were formulated to promote and educate people about Go at schools and in general society.

Students practice Go during an after-school activity at Luming Primary School in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang. [Photo/qz828.com]

For example, kindergartens and primary and secondary schools have been directed to set up Go courses and promote the game.

In addition, Go activity corners will be set up in public areas such as parks, squares, rural cultural halls, bookstores, and citizen fitness centers to promote the game.