Hong Kong volunteers bring passion, warmth to 15th National Games

Volunteers of all ages serving in China's Hong Kong competition region of the 15th National Games are delivering professional, enthusiastic services, conveying warmth and support while helping the event run smoothly.

The Games is taking place across Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Macao Special Administrative Region from Nov 9 to 21, marking the first time that three Chinese regions are co-hosting the country's highest-level and largest national multi-sport event.

Hong Kong, which is hosting the Games for the first time, has selected 16,000 volunteers, ranging in age from 16 to 85, to serve the event.

They have contributed their dedication and energy across all aspects of the Games, from guiding spectators and ensuring security to supporting athletes and providing medical assistance.

Among them is 65-year-old Luk Hoi-ho, a retired police officer and a leader of the volunteer team. Luk has been on duty since the Games' preparation stage, starting at 07:00 every morning and remaining at the venue until the day's competitions conclude.

"I'm truly excited because I can see the athletes' eyes sparkle and feel their passion when watching the competitions. It's a shame that we can't take any pictures with them as we don't want to be a distraction for them. We want to be professional volunteers," he said.

At a display board for the volunteers to leave their blessings on sticker notes, Luk also wrote his best wishes for the Games.

"I hope this National Games can help push Hong Kong forward hand in hand with the rest of the Greater Bay Area and further integrate Hong Kong into the great motherland, so that it can contribute more to the advancement of national rejuvenation. Seeing our athletes here and witnessing such a large-scale event, I couldn't help but write down my wish," he said.

Younger volunteers also expressed excitement for the opportunity to contribute to a the Games.

"It's the first time for me to take part in such a major event. I am representing all the young students from both Hong Kong and the mainland," said a young volunteer Chow Kwun-nam.

"Being part of the National Games is very exciting for all of us in Hong Kong. Taking part in such a top-level sporting event allows us to make our own contribution," said Lee Chun, another young volunteer.

Hong Kong volunteers bring passion, warmth to 15th National Games

Hong Kong volunteers bring passion, warmth to 15th National Games

Hong Kong volunteers bring passion, warmth to 15th National Games

The escalating military conflict in the Middle East could bring severe economic consequences and job losses to the region which may plunge up to 4 million people into poverty, a United Nations spokesman has warned.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, outlined the growing concerns surrounding the deepening conflict during a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

Citing data released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Dujarric said the widening war could result in a devastating economic impact, which will have a profound effect on people's livelihoods.

"I wanted to flag some interesting data just released by the United Nations Development Programme that suggests the military escalation in the Middle East may cost economies in the region from 3.7 to 6 percent of their collective gross domestic product (GDP). This represents a staggering loss of 120 to 194 billion U.S. dollars and exceeds the cumulative regional GDP growth achieved in 2025. This is coupled with an estimated rise in unemployment of up to 4 percentage points or 3.6 million lost jobs, which is more than the total jobs created in the region last year. These reversals will push up to 4 million people into poverty, according to UNDP's analysis," he said.

The conflict erupted on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israeli launched joint airstrikes on the Iranian capital Tehran and several other cities. U.S-Israeli attacks have continued since, targeting key Iranian military command centers, missile installations, energy infrastructures and nuclear facilities.

In response, Iran has launched waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. military facilities across the Middle East, including those in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The situation shows little sign of de-escalation as Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that a recent truce plan proposed by the United States contains "very excessive, unrealistic and unreasonable" demands.

Wider concerns are also mounting over the disruption to trade and transport along the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping passageway that carries about one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade.

UN spokesman warns up to 4 million could be pushed into poverty by Mideast conflict