Boats heading for the next stopover Hawaii bid farewell at Fushan Bay in Qingdao.

Qingdao will continue to be a stop in China for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race over the next four years.

Having successfully organized and prepared for the 07-08 Clipper Race, the Qingdao municipal government signed an agreement yesterday with Clipper Ventures Plc, organizers of the premium sailing event, to continue their cooperation for the 09-10 and 11-12 races.

Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng has welcomed the chance provided by the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to make Qingdao well known around the world as a "sailing city".

In the countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Xia believes the Clipper Race offers the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase the coastal city in East China's Shandong province to the world as an elite aquatic sports center, and inspire people's confidence in its ability to host world-class sailing events.

"The Clipper Race fleet will stay over in Qingdao for 10 days. During this time, world media will provide extensive coverage to Qingdao. Joining in the Clipper Race has not only brought Qingdao to the world stage but further connected it to world-class sailing competitions," Xia said.

The yacht Qingdao made her debut in 2005-06 Clipper Race. Stopping over at 14 renowned cities, the boat gave people around the world access to a better understanding of Qingdao.

"The Clipper Race fleet brings a strong sailing atmosphere to the city. It is a window to showcase the city's sailing venue, considerate service, beautiful sights and the friendship of the local people to the world.

"The Clipper Race will give Qingdao locals a chance to have an overall understanding of sailing," added Xia.

"How to infuse the Olympic spirit into the city; how to upgrade the city's internationalization and civilization; and how to enhance its popularity are always our concern," Xia said.

The earliest sailing race in Qingdao dates back to 1904, which was also the earliest modern yachting event recorded in the Chinese history.

Navigation and sailing sports gained popularity around the 1950s, after the China Marine Sports School, commissioned by the country's General Administration of Sport, was built in the coastal city.

Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng (first from the right, front row) welcomes Duggie Gillespie, skipper of the "New York". [China Daily]

As the cradle of modern navigation sports in China, the century-old city Qingdao has witnessed the national evolution of sailing sports, a trademark of the city.

"We have combined hardware with software to morph Qingdao into a 'sailing city'," Xia pointed out.

The city has hosted one stage of the America's Cup Sailing Competition and will serve as the only Chinese stopover of the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race after the Olympics.

Qingdao has launched 37 marketing promotions in 18 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.

The city has built 39 sailing-featured schools and 100 sailing clubs for primary and middle school students, in a bid to make the sport a passion among one and all.

The yacht Qingdao is the first boat in China named after the city to compete in the Clipper Race, and played an important part in being an upholder of the city's image.

The two test events of the Qingdao International Sailing Regatta have laid a solid foundation for Qingdao to develop into an international aquatic sports center.

"Qingdao's efforts in building a 'sailing city' and popularizing nautical knowledge have contributed a lot to sailing sports in both China and the world.

"We prioritized the Olympics as the first task this year. After the Games, we will further popularize sailing sports among our citizens, especially teenagers.

"We hope we can join in the Clipper Race in the years to come and Qingdao can be a perpetual stopover of the race. In this way, we can benefit each other," Xia noted.