The 2025 China Rally Championship (CRC) Hanggin Banner Stage and the Kubuqi Desert Off-Road Race was held in Hanggin Banner of Ordos in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from Wednesday to Sunday, gathering more than 1,000 racers and fans from around the country.
The CRC competition was divided into several groups, including manufacturers, mass production, UTV, and a women's group, while the Kubuqi Desert Off-road Race was divided into a cycling rally, a motorcycle race, and a T2 contest.
The event had both modified vehicles and mass-produced models competing on a 75-kilometer track, which consists of a mix of roads and natural terrains in the Kubuqi Desert.
"I'm from Guangdong. It was a tough trip to come here. I don't have much experience driving in the desert. The Kubuqi Desert has a complicated landform. Little obstacles can help us hone our skills," said Guo Yunhui, a racer.
During the event, the local authorities have launched colorful activities, such as firework shows, an electronic music festival, band performances, molten iron fireworks, an agricultural product fair, and a food tasting activity to build a tourism brand of "Crossing the Kubuqi Desert."
"The local customs and people here are very welcoming. And the vast desert view opens our mood," said Ding Yingchun, a tourist.
"Based on the attention and visitor flow brought by the competition, we hope to turn the spectators into tourists to boost consumption in catering, accommodation and cultural industries, and step by step, make cultural tourism a key growth driver for the regional economy and lift the status of the Kubuqi Desert from a natural landscape to a golden resource benefiting people's well-being," said Zhang Yongsheng, deputy director of the Hanggin Banner Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
Desert off-road rally held in Inner Mongolia
The European Union（EU）and France have reaffirmed their support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland as concerns are growing over security in the Arctic following the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategically important island.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Greenland belongs to its people, so it's up to Denmark and Greenland, and only to them, to decide on matters that are concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Noting that the EU is in contact with the Danish government, Von der Leyen stressed that security in the Arctic region is a key issue of concern to the EU.
Also on Wednesday, the European Parliament's political group leaders issued a statement, condemning the remarks made by the Trump administration regarding Greenland and terming them as a "blatant" challenge to international law and to the sovereignty of NATO member Denmark.
They urged the EU institutions to define "concrete and tangible" support for Denmark and Greenland, and stressed that decisions concerning Greenland belong to Denmark and Greenland alone.
"External attempts to alter the status quo are unacceptable," the leaders said.
In a related development, a group of 23 lawmakers sent a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday, emphasizing that if the United States continues to threaten Denmark's autonomous territory, the European Parliament should suspend debates and votes on trade agreements with the United States.
Currently, the European Parliament is deliberating on removing most U.S. import tariffs and maintaining zero-tariff policies on U.S. lobster, with a vote scheduled for January 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, citing President Emmanuel Macron, warned on Wednesday that any infringement on Danish sovereignty over Greenland would trigger "unprecedented" consequences.
"If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented," said Bregeon.
"we are closely monitoring the situation and will stand firmly with Denmark to defend its sovereignty," the spokeswoman said.
On the same day, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted the need for serious consideration of recent U.S. signals concerning Greenland.
Lecornu reaffirmed France's "full solidarity with Denmark and the legitimate authorities of Greenland," adding that safeguarding the sovereignty of other countries is an important foundation for safeguarding one's own sovereignty.
Furthermore, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Wednesday that France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, calling the move a "political signal" over the strategic Danish territory.
The foreign minister said that the U.S. plan of buying Greenland is "absurd" and that this "blackmail" should stop.
He reiterated that France and Europe will continue to support Denmark.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, while Denmark retains authority over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.
Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland. Both Greenland and Denmark have made clear that the island is not for sale. The White House said last week that Trump will not rule out the use of force.
EU, France reaffirm support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland
