Visitors flock to Beijing's suburb to watch World Table Tennis China Smash 2024

As Chinese people enjoy their week-long National Day holiday, many have flocked to the western suburb of Beijing to experience the excitement of the World Table Tennis China Smash 2024, which concluded on Sunday after eleven days of fierce competition among the world's top players.

As the premier event on the World Table Tennis circuit, this year's WTT Smash is taking place from September 26 to October 6 at Beijing's Shougang Park.

At Smash Park on the western outskirt of Beijing, table tennis enthusiasts gathered to watch live matches on a big screen while relaxing on the lawn and enjoying the cool autumn breeze.

Families and friends cheered for their favorite players, calling this one of the best ways to spend the holiday this October.

"I've been a huge fan of table tennis for many years. I watched the matches inside the venue on September 29. It's fantastic to have an event like this in Beijing during the National Day holiday. The atmosphere is amazing," said Ma Qiuyu, a resident.

The Smash Park features four main zones: outdoor competitions, interactive entertainment, brand exhibitions, and dining. DJ performances are staged during breaks between matches, adding to the festive atmosphere.

One of the highlights for many fans is the daily meet-and-greet, where star players interact with the crowd and sign autographs.

Notably, the event is held in the Ice Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating, and Figure Skating venues—facilities used during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

"I came from Qingdao with my wife and kids specifically to watch the matches. I work in architecture and urban design, so I'm really impressed with how Shougang Park has transformed from a steel factory into Winter Games venues, and now into a space for the WTT Smash," said Liu Yang, a tourist from Shandong Province.

This is the first time in over six decades that Beijing has hosted a top table tennis event under the International Table Tennis Federation. Champions will receive 2,000 world ranking points. Beijing has secured the rights to host the WTT China Smash from 2024 to 2028, all set to take place at Shougang Park, making full use of its Winter Olympics legacy.

Gasoline prices in the United States climbed to their highest level in nearly four years on Tuesday as peace talks between Washington and Tehran appeared at an impasse.

The average price of regular gasoline in the United States has risen to 4.8 U.S. dollars per gallon, the highest level since April 2022, representing the biggest single-day increase in more than a month, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has surged six times in the past seven trading days, and its price is still more than 40 percent higher than before the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.