The experience of topping the podium at the 19th Asian Games has become a powerful motivator for Chinese breakdancer Liu Qingyi to strive for success at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
Breakdancing is set to make its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2024 Paris Games, which officially open on Friday, and Liu is tipped to be one of the breakout stars who will make their mark in the French capital.
The 18-year-old Liu made history at the Outbreak 2022 Street Dance Competition in Slovakia by becoming China's first medalist at an international breaking event, and later went on to win the inaugural title in her sport at the 19th Asian Games held last year in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.
Liu, also known as B-Girl 671, a moniker she choose due to her full name sounding like the pronunciation of those numbers in Chinese, is eager to shine on the Olympic stage.
With a fierce drive to perform at her best, Liu is looking to combine new ideas from her coaches alongside the skills she has already mastered during training, as she looks to deliver at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
"For this period, I have so many things to do, because I have a lot of coaches, so they gave me a lot of advice. So, for me, I need to digest them, then to transfer them to use a way by myself. For now, I just want to use some new things and some old stuff together, then I can find new feelings. I can't only do the new things, because it's very difficult, and I feel maybe not stable. So, for now, [I'll] just try, if I crash, it's okay. But for the Olympics, I think that's the final stage," she said.
Liu automatically secured her spot at the Paris Olympics thanks to her gold medal at the Asian Games, and said she is honored to represent her nation while pledging to do her best as she searches for more glory.
"First, I think I'm lucky. I'm proud I can represent China to compete [in] this competition, so I will do my best, then [if] I get [to be] the champion, I'm really happy. I can go to the Olympics straight [after winning at the Asian Games in Hangzhou], so for the Olympics, I also will do my best," she said.
The Place de la Concorde in central Paris will host the first-ever breaking competition in Olympic history on August 9-10, with 32 dancers from 15 countries and regions competing for men's and women's gold medals.
Young Chinese breakdancer '671' looks to make mark at Paris Olympics
Grassroots officials and students who teamed up with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing on Thursday morning said afterwards they would commit more energy to protecting their country's natural heritage and greening efforts.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was accompanied by other Party and state leaders as they joined residents and local officials on the bank of the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District to plant saplings.
Xi waved to the crowd as he arrived at the site before picking up a shovel to help plant saplings of several different types of tree.
Xi took time to ask students from local schools about their studies, life and participation in labor and sports.
"We came here today to participate in this tree planting activity. What surprised us was that President Xi also took part. He worked alongside us, digging and building up the soil around the saplings. He has always been concerned about our lives and studies, and he encouraged us to work and study hard," said Lyu Shuochen, a student from the Fifth Primary School in Fengtai District.
"President Xi is very knowledgeable and understanding. He also encouraged us plant more trees to improve the air quality and the environment," said Gu Weichen, another student from the school.
During the event, Xi also talked with local grassroots officials, discussing the importance of preserving the nation's natural heritage.
"Every year, [the general secretary] takes part in the tree planting activity in the capital. He shovels the soil and waters the trees, which are truly touching. As environmental builders, we are determined to work together to make areas along the Yongding River greener and make the water clearer, so that local people can safely enjoy the riverside and truly understand the significance of ecological preservation," said Ding Hongwei, deputy director of the Fengtai District Yongding River Management Office.
"For us, participating in the tree planting activity with the general secretary is a vivid practical lesson in grassroots governance. Today, the general secretary also stressed that [environmental efforts should focus on] improving quality, boosting industry and benefiting the people. For us as community workers, it means we must deeply engage in the grassroots affairs. We need to strive for growth and do practical things to provide support for the residents and the people around us," said Qian Cheng, Party secretary of Tianlun Jincheng community in Beijing's Fengtai District.
"In addition to building the capital into a garden city, we also integrate the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature into our daily life and work. We hope to create a better environment for everyone," said Lin Qiaoling, a Party committee member in Caoqiao Village, Yuquanying Subdistrict in Fengtai District.
Encouraged by Xi, the environmental champions at the site pledged to actively engage in public welfare activities, joining forces to contribute to the building of a Beautiful China and making the country even greener.
"President Xi told us while we were watering the saplings that watering the trees is like nurturing us children. I will follow what President Xi said. I want to become a teacher to educate and nurture others, and sow the seeds for them to grow their talents," said Wang Nanbixuan, another student from the school.
"As a primary school student in the capital, I am committed to planting more trees, working harder, and adding more green spaces to make our capital even more beautiful," said Chang Yuyang, another student from the school.
"With the personal involvement and leadership of the general secretary, the greening efforts in the capital will reach a new level, and citizens will be able to more directly enjoy the results of ecological civilization development," said Ding.
"As the general secretary said, we will continue working, one generation after another, to improve the greening efforts for the people, and contribute our own strength to ecological preservation in the capital and the whole country," said Lin.
Planting trees with President Xi inspires new generation of environmental champions
