Macao marks 100-day countdown to National Games with citywide events

China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday hosted a variety of events across the city to mark the 100-day countdown to the opening of the 15th National Games of China.

At the iconic Ruins of St. Paul's, the "100-day countdown fitness walk" started with enthusiasm.

Hundreds of participants set off in high spirits, walking through Macao's historic streets all the way to Senado Square, where vibrant performances followed to liven up the celebration.

At Macao's Iao Hon Market Park Square, a lively evening gala was held to mark the countdown.

Lion dances, sports demonstrations, and singing performances brought the celebration to a climax.

"It's incredibly exciting that the National Games will be co-held in Macao for the first time. As a local, I feel so proud to be volunteering for this event. I wish all athletes great success in Macao, and I warmly welcome everyone to visit our city for the competitions and tourism!" said a resident of Macao.

"We're thrilled that the country has given Macao this opportunity to co-host such a major event. We welcome all national athletes and visitors to experience Macao's vitality. Together, let's make this a 'Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area'!" said another resident of Macao.

Earlier in the day, the licensed merchandise retail store for the Macao competition zone of the 15th National Games officially opened at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion, offering a range of official merchandise, including plush toys, commemorative badges, daily necessities, and handicrafts.

"We want to bring the National Games atmosphere into every neighborhood, ensuring that every Macao resident feels connected to this event. This isn't just a government initiative, it's an event for all citizens to participate in," said Pun Weng Kun, director of the preparatory office for Organizing the Macao Competition Zone.

Co-hosted by Guangdong, the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, the grand games will take place from Nov 9 to 21.

Macao marks 100-day countdown to National Games with citywide events

The United States cannot legitimize an operation that attacked Venezuela and captured its president, a Chinese scholar said Sunday.

On Saturday, the United States launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were 'captured and flown out of Venezuela' according to a post by U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account.

Teng Jianqun, director of the Center for Diplomatic Studies at Hunan Normal University, said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that the aim of this operation is to take full control of Venezuela’s natural resources.

"I don't think the United States can legitimize this operation to take custody of the president of Venezuela. And also I don't think the United States can legitimize its any action in taking the oil reserves of that country. This is actually a very dangerous game played by the Trump administration. And of course, the United States would like to take full control of that country and to take full control of the natural resources, especially the large reserve of oil in Venezuela," said Teng.

Teng said Venezuela is not an isolated case but a common practice by the United States. The United States launched an invasion of Panama on Dec. 20, 1989, which continued until January 1990, with the stated objective of capturing Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega on charges of drug trafficking and organized crime.

"We still remember the so-called sentence of the former president of Panama in the late 1980s. And this time, the president of Venezuela will be under some judicial condition (judicial proceedings) for the so-called drug trafficking and some other crimes. So I think this is not a single case for the Venezuela country, but also this is actually a practice by the United States -- to use force, to use so-called justice under law against any leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean waters," he said.

US cannot legitimize operation against Venezuela: Chinese scholar