Water sports make big splash across China

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Water sports like paddle boarding and sailing have become increasingly popular across China as people are looking for ways to have fun and stay cool in hot summer days.

From Friday to Sunday, the 7th Nanxun Ancient Town Paddle Board Open was held in east China's Zhejiang Province, attracting more than 400 contestants from more than 10 countries and regions.

During the competition, the participants navigated a variety of watercraft, including paddle boards, folding boats, packrafts, and water bikes.

According to the Sport Bureau of Zhejiang Province, nearly 20 water sports events are held every week across the province this summer, and more than 200 water sports activities will be held throughout the season.

"Zhejiang has a well-developed water sports industry. Fuyang District and Chun'an County [of Hangzhou] account for more than 60 percent of the country's canoeing and rowing market," said Jiang Jiancheng, director of the bureau’s Department of Policies and Regulations.   In Yuxi City of southwest China's Yunnan Province, sailboats have made wave on the Fuxian Lake. 

Fuxian Lake is an inland lake on the plateau, whose open waters provide ample space for water sports such as sailing, kayaking and diving.   "The southwest wind prevail here all year round, with about 300 days of wind annually. It is very suitable for sailing. Sailing trips and experiences have become a very stable industry in Fuxian Lake," said Deng Xinqiang, manager of the Fuxian Lake sailing base.

In Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a water park has been bustling with tourists of all ages since the beginning of summer.

"I like the non-powered hydrofoil board and the diving platform here the most. They make me feel like flying on a sword," said Huang Yun, a tourist.

According to a report on outdoor sports released by the General Administration of Sport, China has over one million surfing and paddle boarding consumers, generating a market of more than one billion yuan (about 139.29 million U.S. dollars).

Water sports make big splash across China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met with British Foreign Secretary David Lammyn in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two sides' leaders, bilateral relations have been on the right track of improvement and development.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said both sides should regain the original intention of being strategic partners, grasp the general trend of mutually beneficial cooperation, adhere to mutual respect, properly handle differences, and respond to the expectations of all sectors of the two countries.

Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of World War II, Wang said that, as co-creators of the post-war order and permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Britain should also jointly fulfill their international obligations, safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, maintain the free trade system, and make new contributions to world peace and development.

Lammy said that the current improvement and development momentum of bilateral relations is positive, and exchanges at all levels are increasingly frequent, adding that the British side looks forward to further strengthening communication with the Chinese side, taking more substantive actions and promoting cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade.

Britain adheres to the one-China policy and is committed to developing stable and mature relations with China, Lammy said.

They also exchanged views on international and regional hot issues such as the Iranian nuclear issue and the Ukraine crisis.

Chinese FM meets British counterpart on ties