The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities open on Sunday evening in Maoming, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The opening ceremony of the 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities was held in Maoming on Sunday evening, with grand performances showcasing the province's diverse culture.

The ceremony was themed around the image of the millennium-old lychee trees in Maoming, known in China as the hometown of lychees, and integrated cultural elements from Guangdong's 21 cities, including Cantonese opera, Wing Chun, and the awakening lion dance.

The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities open on Sunday evening in Maoming, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Through music, dance, and theatrical performances, the ceremony traced Maoming's history and development while presenting its cultural heritage.

As Guangdong's premier sports event, the games attracted approximately 27,000 athletes, with delegations from all 21 cities in the province.

At the ceremony, 30 hearing-impaired students performed the national anthem using sign language. They also synchronized the lyrics in sign language during the final theme song.

The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities open on Sunday evening in Maoming, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities open on Sunday evening in Maoming, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 17th Guangdong Provincial Games and the 10th Guangdong Provincial Games for Persons with Disabilities open on Sunday evening in Maoming, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]