15th National Games' cross-region cycling race adds new connectivity in Greater Bay Area

The Men's Individual Road Cycling Race of China’s 15th National Games opened Saturday, marking a historic milestone as the first cross-region event in the games' history that spans across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, showing strong connectivity in south China's Greater Bay Area.

The 231.8-kilometer race set off from the Zhuhai Museum, taking 103 cyclists across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world's longest sea-crossing bridge. They entered Hong Kong and Macao through seamless customs clearance at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour. After more than five hours on the road, all riders successfully crossed the finish line.

As riders crossed three regions on a groundbreaking route, the race became more than a competition; it stood as a powerful symbol of connection in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

"After we complete our work in Macao, we will hand it over to the Zhuhai section. Our mainland colleagues will continue to be responsible for medical and road-clearing work. This time, we can achieve seamless connectivity and no interruption in between," said Addy Chan Kuai Son, a volunteer for the 15th National Games.

"I was incredibly excited to be here today to watch the National Games road cycling race. This is a race spanning three regions for the first time in National Games history. As a dweller in the Greater Bay Area, I feel extremely proud and honored. When the athletes competed across three regions, I felt a strong sense of unity and a close bond within the Greater Bay Area," said Li Yunshan, a student of Macao University of Science and Technology.

The 15th National Games will officially open on Sunday across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marking the first time for the three regions to co-host the country's premier multi-sport event.

The National Games, held every four years, are China's highest-level and largest national multi-sports event. The last edition in 2021 saw over 12,000 athletes compete in the northwestern province of Shaanxi.

15th National Games' cross-region cycling race adds new connectivity in Greater Bay Area

Two pairs of giant panda twins, born in 2023, made their much-anticipated public debut on Tuesday at the Qinling Four Rare Animals Science Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

The two pairs are Chang Qing (meaning evergreen in Chinese) and Chang Ning (meaning lasting peace in Chinese), as well as Chang Qing (meaning lasting auspiciousness in Chinese) and Chang Le (meaning lasting happiness in Chinese), respectively.

The four lively pandas put on quite a show -- one showed off an impressive upside-down hook move, while another twirled happily on a play facility. The other two took a more relaxed approach, lying on the ground munching bamboo before tumbling into a playful wrestle once their bellies were full.

The four captive-bred panda cubs are all about two and a half years old, and are already able to eat bamboo skillfully on their own.

Their lively interactions not only entertain visitors but also boost their physical activity, aid digestion, and support healthy growth.

Two pairs of panda twins make public debut in Xi'an