SFC Talk丨The 15th National Games: Beyond Just a Sports Event

The 15th National Games will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, marking the first time these regions have collaborated on such an event. It is also the first time Hong Kong and Macao will host the National Games, making this a historically significant occasion. What impact will this have on the integration and economic development of the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area? Let’s hear from Guangdong Provincial CPPCC members Zu Jiangtao and Xu Lemin.

Zu Jiangtao: Actually, I heard that the other day, Member Xu, for the first time, walked the Guangdong Provincial CPPCC Members’ Passage. How did that feel?

Xu Lemin: Honestly, the whole process was quite nerve-wracking because it was my first time. I’m also a new member in this session, so at that moment, I felt both excited and nervous. But I think the Members’ Passage is like a window because it allows communication with the media (and the public) face-to-face. I could share the preparation for the proposal, and results of my research, which felt very meaningful. 

Zu Jiangtao: It was like a stress test, but it also a chance to fully express what you wanted to say within three minutes. Actually, Member Xu holds a dual role not only as a Guangdong Provincial CPPCC member from Macao, but also as a member of the Macao Sports Council. So this time, your topic is more related to the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao for the first time. Through the 15th National Games, what kind of message do you hope to convey to people across different regions?

Xu Lemin: We aim to use the National Games to showcase the advantages of our system. With "two systems," three legal frameworks, and four central cities, we are organizing this grand sporting event well within such a unique institutional environment. I believe that, beyond sports exchange, there are many important elements involved, such as culture, tourism, exhibitions, and so on. These aspects are also incredibly significant. 

Zu Jiangtao: Sports serve as a medium, and culture and broader contexts can be integrated through this channel. It also creates more opportunities and pathways for Hong Kong and Macao to connect with the Chinese mainland and the Greater Bay Area. You have been in Macao for many years and have taken on various roles in business associations. With your deep focus on the economy and regional economic development, you must have come across the common notion that Macao’s economy has always been relatively singular. What kind of changes can sports bring to a region’s economy? You must have gathered quite a bit of insight in this area.

Xu Lemin: In Macao, we actually host many major sporting events, such as the World Table Tennis (WTT) tournaments and the Women's Volleyball Grand Prix, which have established a solid foundation here. I’ve noticed that every time we host a major sports event, we attract a large number of tourists to Macao. The key for us is figuring out how to encourage these visitors to stay longer in Macao, to explore, to enjoy our cuisine, and to experience our unique culture. I believe there’s great potential for economic development in this process.

Zu Jiangtao: Member Xu made an excellent point. So, we believe that through the 15th National Games, we can bring the Greater Bay Area closer together, making its scale, influence, and cultural elements more diverse. This is also the greater charm of sports.

Xu Lemin: Yes, I completely agree. The power of sports lies in its ability to strengthen our national pride, including among our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao. It enhances our confidence and sense of pride. During the Olympics, when we watch the medal tally, we’re all glued to the news, checking every day to see if China is at the top. I deeply feel that sports have a crucial role in fostering patriotism and enhancing our sense of love for our country. It’s truly important. Member Jiangtao, I heard you’re also a sports enthusiast. 

Zu Jiangtao: I enjoy "checking in" at different places while running. I found that running became one of my favorites. 

Xu Lemin: Running is indeed a great sport. So, Member Jiangtao, you just mentioned that sports are both a career and an industry. How do you think the 15th National Games will impact the economic development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area? What role will it play, and how can we make this impact long-lasting? What do you think should be done?

Zu Jiangtao: You see, Member Xu, as a member of the Macao Sports Council, this is your area of expertise. I’m just an outsider in this field. As citizens, as ordinary people, we all have a sense of anticipation when it comes to major sports events. As you mentioned earlier, this event can promote the integration of the Greater Bay Area, of Hong Kong, Macao, and the Chinese mainland, while also showcasing the unique characteristics, local features, and cultural strengths of different regions.

At the same time, I believe the sports industry for the Greater Bay Area is critically important. Looking at the recent government work report, Guangdong’s economy continues to lead the country. But what Guangdong offers is not just being number one in terms of figures, it also represents institutional and mechanism innovations, as well as the pioneering courage to "lead the way." If we can further integrate sports and the sports industry with the regional economy, and collaborate effectively, it can unlock even more possibilities for the economic and cultural development of this region.

However, I believe that for a nation, for regional development, and for the coordinated development from a major sporting nation to a strong sporting nation, the significance is profound.

We used to say, as a major or strong sporting nation, it’s simply by looking at the number of gold medals we won. But now, the concept of a strong sporting nation has evolved, with China’s growing confidence, it’s more about how sports can enhance a country’s overall strength and improve the physical health of its citizens.

For example, among all kinds of sports, how much per capita sports space do we have? How much time does the average person spend exercising? What is the level of technological integration in sports? Many committee members and representatives have also suggested that university and school sports facilities should be opened to the public during summer and winter holidays, allowing more people to enjoy the mental benefits that sports bring, physical changes, and the positive changes in the sports environment and ecosystem. This, I think, as we transition from being a major sporting nation to a strong sporting nation, is a direction we should focus on.

Xu Lemin: Speaking of sports, when I was young, I also represented Macao in basketball competitions. Don’t be fooled by my height, I was actually part of the basketball team. Events like the 15th National Games can ignite people’s passion for sports, encouraging them to participate in other physical activities and engage in mass sports. This helps deepen its influence. The “15th National Games” is not just a sporting event. Let’s make it a success with one voice and one heart, to host a world-class event “at our doorstep”.

Chief Producer: Yu Xiaona

Supervising Producer: Shi Shi

Editor:  Shi

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