Innovative solutions to support green, fun, considerate 15th National Games

Private companies have been supporting China's 15th National Games, introducing innovative solutions aimed at ensuring a green, entertaining and athlete-friendly event.

At an exhibition dedicated to the Games' zero-carbon initiatives, numerous supporting companies showcased a range of innovations.

Among the highlights was a hydrogen-powered robotic dog that demonstrated its inspection and monitoring capabilities for the Games.

"It is equipped with a camera in the front that can transmit data to our Internet of Things in real time. The main principle is that its only byproduct is water, making it highly environmentally friendly. Our hydrogen energy also aligns perfectly with the zero-carbon technology concept of the 15th National Games," said a representative from the robotic dog company.

Hydrogen energy is also utilized to secure the power supply for the competition venues. The country's first hydrogen emergency power vehicle, utilizing solid-state hydrogen storage technology, has been deployed to provide stable and clean energy support for the grand event.

A mobile gaming company is boosting excitement for the Games by bringing experiences inspired by real events onto users' phones.

"Our game takes place in the scenarios of the events of the 15th National Games, such as football and rowing," said a representative from the gaming company.

Traditional Chinese medicine has also been incorporated into the event, helping athletes maintain peak performance.

"Our pain-relieving oil, recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage product, is crafted from 86 different Chinese medicinal herbs. It can be used for warming up and stretching before competitions and help athletes with post-competition stretching and recovery," said a representative from the pain-relieving oil company.

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

It features 34 sports with 419 events in the competitive program and 23 sports with 166 events in the mass participation program. More than 20,000 athletes are set to compete in the final phase.

Innovative solutions to support green, fun, considerate 15th National Games

Tanzanians doing business in the Middle East have been forced to scale down or cease operations altogether, as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupts global travel.

In early March, Tanzanian authorities sent a special flight to bring home more than 200 citizens from Dubai.

Mustapha Khatow, who runs the travel agency Sky Link Travel and Tours, said he has spent nearly four decades in the tourism industry, moving between Dubai and Tanzania, serving both corporate and leisure travelers. But the recent tensions involving Iran and the disruption to flights and business have hit hard, forcing him to relocate his family back to Tanzania.

"Tanzanian travel agents in the whole, they have been hit, because we've had huge cancellations for Eid, people going to Dubai, for Easter holidays, going to Dubai. So, we have lost a big chunk of people who do not wish to go to Dubai at this time," he said.

The impact is being felt beyond tourism. Supply challenges linked to the conflict have pushed up global oil prices, raising concerns for import-dependent economies like Tanzania. Authorities say they are taking measures to cushion businesses and maintain steady fuel supplies.

Aviation and tourism in the Middle East have also taken a hit. In Dubai, more than 80,000 travel bookings were canceled in the first week of the conflict as airports faced intermittent closures and uncertainty, leading to millions of dollars in losses.

Reports indicate that visitor arrivals in the Middle East could decline by between 11 percent and 27 percent in 2026. Travel industry professionals like Khatow view the downturn as collateral damage from the conflict and hope for a swift resolution to help revive tourism.

"Those big traders who bring containers to Tanzania, they have a challenge because of the shipping lines getting delayed, freight charges going up. And again, another issue is Air Tanzania has not been flying to Dubai since then, apart from one repatriation flight," he said.

Khatow said diplomacy will be key to restoring stability, while accurate reporting can help limit further damage to businesses.

US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts travel businesses from Tanzania