Basketball, Martial Arts, Field Hockey, Sailing... Unlocking Guangdong's New Urban Sports Identity

By Zhuang Huan, SFC, 21st Century Business Herald

On November 17th, the Executive Committee for the Guangdong Division of China's 15th National Games held a press conference at the Games' main press center in Guangzhou, introducing the sports characteristics of five cities: Shenzhen, Shanwei, Dongguan, Jieyang, and Yunfu.

Shenzhen: The city seeks to establish itself as a global sporting capital and enhance its international economic standing by leveraging major events like China's 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games.

Shanwei: Adhering to the principles of "green, shared, open, and clean" and the requirement for a "streamlined, safe, and spectacular" Games, Shanwei successfully hosted the sailing events of the 15th National Games in October. The competitions, which saw 228 athletes from across the nation contend for 10 gold medals, showcased the city's charm as the "City of Sails."

Dongguan: Ever since the city's designation as a "National Basketball City" in 2004, the sport has been an integral part of its identity. The countless courts and gymnasiums across the city stand as a testament to the people's deep passion for the game.

Jieyang: The city is a historic martial arts center, where the practice is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life and local culture. This has led to its vibrant fusion with folk culture, which has not only created national intangible heritage but has also breathed new life into the local tourism industry.The cultural significance of this art form was highlighted when local martial arts were featured in the warm-up performances for the opening ceremony of China's 15th National Games.

Yunfu: Blending nature and culture, Yunfu has embraced hockey as a symbol of its strength and team spirit. This spirit was on full display during the hockey events of China's 15th National Games, where 18 top teams, including those from Hong Kong and Macao, gathered at Yunfu Sports Park, cementing the city's unique sports identity.

Chief Producer: Zhao Haijian

Supervising Producer: Huang Yanshu

Reporter: Zhuang Huan, Huang Zihao

Designer: Liu Yanyan

Overseas Operations Supervising Producer: Huang Yanshu

Overseas Content Coordinator: Huang Zihao

Overseas Operations Editors: Zhuang Huan, Wu Wanjie, Long Lihua, Zheng Quanyi

Produced by: Southern Finance Omnimedia Group