The 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China began its equestrian events in Zhaosu County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Monday.
The equestrian events, running through Saturday, are the earliest event at this year's Ethnic Games, kicking off months before the main games. This edition featured the largest number of participating teams ever, with 229 athletes from 12 delegations.
The competition includes both contest and exhibition events, featuring traditional ethnic horse racing, horseback archery, hada snatching and the individual biathlon. Exhibition categories are divided into competitive, technical and comprehensive performances.
"I'm happy to compete at my doorsteps and welcome friends and horse racers from all over the country," said Tursunmurat, an equestrian athlete.
In the 2,000-meter traditional ethnic horse racing, Tashi Phuntsok from Xizang Autonomous Region crossed the finish line first.
"We are really happy to compete in Zhaosu, also known as 'home of horses from heaven', and we won the championship in the 2,000-meter traditional ethnic horse racing," said Luo Hui, head of the Xizang team.
The 12th Ethnic Games will officially take place from November 22 to 30 in Sanya, Hainan Province in south China.
Equestrian events of China's 12th Ethnic Games begin
China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Friday urged political advisors to intensify research and consultation to offer valuable suggestions for advancing the cause of people with disabilities.
Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made these remarks while presiding over a biweekly consultation session of the national committee.
Wang underlined that ensuring a happy and fulfilling life for people with disabilities is an essential requirement for promoting Chinese modernization.
He called upon political advisors to focus on the new situations and challenges in advancing the cause for such individuals while urging more targeted and practical proposals based on thorough investigations and research.
Democratic oversight should be strengthened to ensure the effective implementation of policies supporting those with disabilities, Wang noted.
Several national political advisors also made their remarks during the session. They called for efforts to create unobstructed career development pathways for people with disabilities, advance research and application of assistive technologies, and enhance the quality of public services to continuously improve their quality of life.
China's top political advisor stresses boosting services for people with disabilities
