Beyond thrilling competitions, the ongoing 2025 World Games held in Chengdu, the southwestern province of Sichuan, present a cultural feast that blends international appeal with Sichuan charm, already attracting tens of thousands of participants.
Diverse activities, including cultural performances, sports interactions, intangible cultural heritage experiences and technology exhibitions, have attracted over 13,000 participants during the Games. Meanwhile, events at the Athletes' Village and urban cultural experiences continue to gain popularity, organizers said at a press conference on Thursday.
"In Zone A of the Athletes' Village, we've launched interactive experiences showcasing Chinese intangible cultural heritage and traditional Chinese medicine, attracting over 900 participants daily. We've also set up a 'Chinese Bridge' language-learning zone, with an average of more than 600 enthusiastic participants each day. Additionally, multiple outdoor performances are held daily in the Village at scheduled times, drawing over 3,000 attendees in total," said Su Bo, deputy director of the athletes' village department of the Chengdu World Games executive committee
These cultural activities continued until Saturday, culminating in the closing ceremony of the Games on Sunday.
According to organizers, the production team for the closing ceremony conducted the last full dress rehearsal on Friday, completing comprehensive final checks on all segments.
World Games in Chengdu captivates global participants with cultural events
The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.
The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.
The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.
The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.
The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.
The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.
The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.
Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.
The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.
The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges
