Stilt racing, swing competition held on first day of national games of ethnic minorities

The first day of the ongoing 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China, held on Saturday in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, featured traditional events such as stilt racing from the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, and swing competition.

Opened on Friday night, the grand event, which will take place through Nov 30, has gathered nearly 7,000 athletes, representing 35 delegations across China who will compete in 18 sports and three demonstration sports, most of which were once unique to specific ethnic groups or regions.

Unlike traditional sporting events, the games feature competitions rooted in traditional customs and the daily life of people from different ethnic groups in China.

Stilt walking was originally used by the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups during the rainy season to navigate flooded areas and cross shallow rivers. It was also used by the Jing ethnic group for wading in the sea to catch shrimp and fish. Today, stilts have been transformed into a racing tool, adding unique fun and challenges to the track and field events.

Swinging has deep roots in Chinese tradition. Historically, it was a favored pastime, even gracing the royal palace during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (202 BC–AD 220).

The swing competition, which is exclusive to female athletes, hails from the Korean ethnic group in northeast China and aims to empower women by encouraging them to broaden their horizons through sport.

Since being officially included as a competitive event at the Fifth National Traditional Sports Games of Ethnic Minorities in 1995, Jianqiu has grown in popularity. It is highly technical and entertaining, requiring athletes to have speed and agility.

China's tradition of kicking Jianzi, a special shuttlecock handmade from materials such as cloth and leather, dates back to the Han Dynasty, with a history of over 2,000 years.

Another highlight of this grand event is the Muqiu, a unique team sport originated in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. It evolved from an ancient game played by young herders and retains a strong rural flavor with traditional herding movements, while also incorporating the competitive element.

Beginning with less than 400 athletes from 13 ethnic groups, the event was first launched in 1953 with only eight sports. It's one of China's oldest national multisport games.

Stilt racing, swing competition held on first day of national games of ethnic minorities

Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks, with recent tests showing common pathogens and no evidence of new infectious diseases, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Tuesday.

At its first press briefing of 2026, the commission reported that flu activity nationwide remains moderate at the moment.

According to Xin Li, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory samples collected from sentinel hospitals indicated that the influenza virus was the most common pathogen, accounting for 27.4 percent of cases, followed by respiratory syncytial virus at 8.8 percent and rhinovirus at 5.7 percent.

"Influenza activity in China has declined for four consecutive weeks and remains at a moderate level overall. Analysis of nationwide fever clinic consultations, influenza-like illness cases at sentinel hospitals, and multi-pathogen testing shows that all detected pathogens are known common ones, with no evidence of unknown pathogens or new infectious diseases," Xin told the press.

Data from sentinel hospitals indicated flu activity was falling across provincial-level regions, while reports of school outbreaks dropped for five consecutive weeks. Laboratory tests showed that 97.3 percent of positive influenza samples were H3N2 subtype viruses.

China flu activity declines for fourth week, no new pathogens detected: official