President Xi Jinping on Sunday met with representatives of national model units and individuals in mass sports and competitive sports, ahead of the opening of the 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China in Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong Province.
Riding the momentum of the 15th National Games, various cities in Guangdong province are vigorously developing their own distinctive sports events, playing a part in promoting the development of the country's sports culture.
At Nan'ao Island's Qing'ao Bay, winter waves, rising young athletes and an international cast of coaches converge as the spotlight shines on the fast-growing sport, Xing Wen discovers in Shantou, Guangdong.
By successfully co-hosting the ongoing 15th National Games, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has demonstrated that it has what it takes to evolve beyond the sporting arena, shape strategy and drive long-term momentum to capitalize on the event.
The ongoing 15th National Games are playing a major role in helping Guangzhou, the Guangdong provincial capital, accelerate its development as an internationally renowned sports hub.
On a sunny November afternoon, a group of children chased a soccer ball across a centuries-old garden square as boisterous basketball fans-turned-tourists, still buzzing from the thrill of a high-octane match, snapped happy selfies against a historic backdrop.
Running on the scenic Shenzhen Bay Bridge, cool sea breeze in their hair, was undoubtedly the highlight of the first cross-boundary marathon in China's historic 15th National Games.
During the ongoing National Games, airline ticket bookings to the major host cities, such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, have seen double-digit growth compared with last year.