Sports can be new engine for growth

Editor's note: The 15th National Games opened in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, on Sunday. China News Service spoke to He Wenyi, secretary-general of Peking University's National Sports Industry Research Base, about the significance of the event and how it would impact the sports sector in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

The National Games are the country's highest-level, largest and most influential sporting event. The first National Games were held in Beijing in 1959 to review the development of sports in the first decade after the founding of the People's Republic of China and to showcase the nation's sporting strength to the world.

The 15th National Games mark the first time that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have jointly hosted a major sporting event.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is one of the most open and economically dynamic regions in China. With favorable natural resources and climate conditions for a wide range of sports, the region boasts abundant sports resources. In recent years, it has hosted major domestic and international sporting events, gaining valuable experience and achieving remarkable progress in integrating sports, culture and tourism.

By taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the 15th National Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao can establish an efficient coordination and communication mechanism and strengthen resource complementarity. Their application of international standards of event organization and services puts them in a position to jointly bid for global sports competitions in the future.

This year's Games are a good example of the successful practice of the "one country, two systems" policy in the field of sports. Deeper cooperation in policy, management and talent cultivation will not only lead to more large-scale events, but also enhance public services and urban quality across the Greater Bay Area, encouraging greater participation and enthusiasm for sports among local residents.

Sports have the power to unite and inspire. This year's National Games will further strengthen the emotional bond among the people of the three regions. Events such as tai chi, dragon boat racing, and lion and dragon dances, which are popular in South China, have drawn enthusiastic participation from residents, fostering cultural resonance and shared identity.

Riding on the momentum of the Games, the three regions have organized a series of friendly matches to deepen mutual understanding and camaraderie through competition. Young volunteers from Hong Kong and Macao involved in planning the event gained a deeper understanding of the Greater Bay Area.

Bay areas are often among the most economically advanced and outward-looking regions in a country. Sports will serve as a new engine for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.

The 15th National Games will help improve the sports infrastructure of the Greater Bay Area, accelerate the training of high-level coaches, sports researchers and management professionals, and establish world-class sports training centers. Leveraging its rich sports event resources, the region is capable of becoming a hub for international sports brands and competitions.

With its favorable business environment and access to both domestic and international markets and resources, the Greater Bay Area can further integrate sports, tourism, culture and commerce, attract global sports enterprises and become a platform to boost China's broader sports market.