Expedition to Paris of Enterprises from the GBA | Guangdong Smart Manufacturing in Paris 2024

In the roaring 1920s, American author Hemingway described Paris as "a moveable feast." It was during that golden era that the "City of Romance" hosted the 8th Summer Olympics, and first adopted "faster, higher, stronger" as the Olympic motto.

A century later, the Olympic spectacle returns to Paris after traveling around the world. On July 26th, the 33rd Olympics will kick off with a splash on the Seine, welcoming 10,500 athletes, offering over 10 million tickets.

It is predicted that the Paris Olympics will generate a net profit of 6.7 billion to 11.1 billion euros for the region, with a medium to long-term economic impact of around 8.9 billion euros, primarily benefiting tourism, construction, and Olympic organization and preparation.

Chinese enterprises are also getting a slice of the Olympic economic pie. Among the 14 worldwide partners announced on the Paris Olympics' official website, two hail from China, Alibaba and Mengniu. As top-tier sponsors, these companies will definitely attract global attention in Paris.

Olympic mascots always steal the show, and 80% of this year's "Phryge" dolls are made in China, with most coming from Yiwu, the world’s capital of small commodities. It has become a running joke: no matter where the event is held, Yiwu always hits the jackpot. According to Yiwu Customs, exports from Yiwu to France between January and February 2024 surged by 42% year-on-year, with sporting goods skyrocketing by 70.5%.

Guangdong enterprises aren't sitting on the sidelines either. Besides churning out Olympic mascots, this powerhouse for sports equipment manufacturing saw its Guangzhou Customs district businesses export a whopping 1.59 billion yuan worth of sporting goods and equipment in the first four months of this year.

Volleyballs from Dongguan’s Hengjia Toy Company, finished shoes from Qingyuan's SHOETOWNFOOTWEAR, tennis rackets and squash rackets from Heyuan O.T. Composite Co., Ltd., are all making their way across the ocean. Guangzhou's Double Fish Sports has even scored the exclusive contract to supply table tennis balls for the Paris Olympics, providing athletes with high-tech ping pong balls that are precise to the millimeter.

With the opportunity of the Paris Olympics, not only has the Guangdong manufacturing industry received a large number of orders, many Guangdong enterprises also made their entrances on the international stage, boosting brand exposure and fast-tracking their overseas business expansion.

During the Olympics, if you're lucky enough to stroll through the Palace of Versailles, you might catch a "cyberpunk" spectacle, a mesmerizing performance from 800 drones, in the shape of Olympics-related elements, including the Olympic torch and sailboat. This cutting-edge show is brought to you by Shenzhen's HighGreat Innovation Technology.

For those of us watching from our screens, we'll be treated to high-definition displays in multiple venues, courtesy of Guangdong's smart manufacturing. Shenzhen's Unilumin is providing LED display screens with a total area of 2,600 square meters for five major venues, including the Stade de France, as well as fan activity zones during the opening ceremony.

Absen, another enterprise based in the Greater Bay Area, is making its debut in Paris with a special screen. The company's LED floor screens have already stolen the show at the NBA games and the Qatar World Cup. Besides the Paris Olympics, Guangdong enterprises have deepened their participation in international sports events. At the recently concluded European Championship, Vivo's "BlueImage" technology captured every thrilling moment on the pitch on users' phones, while automaker BYD replaced German stalwart Volkswagen, becoming the first Chinese automobile brand to sponsor the tournament.

From tiny ping-pong balls, to giant LED screens, more and more enterprises in Guangdong smart manufacturing are expanding the frontier of the sports economy, and shining bright on the world stage.

出品：南财国际传播中心 21新媒体中心 创意互动中心

策划统筹：于晓娜 丁青云

内容统筹：谭婷 陈思颖

责任编辑：黄欣然

执行统筹：黄欣然 

设计统筹：林军明

视频统筹：白宇航

监制：施诗

英文翻译&配音：李莹亮

海外运营监制: 黄燕淑

海外运营内容统筹: 黄子豪

运营支持：曾静娇

审校：张晔 黄志明