Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games

Hong Kong is experiencing a surge of visitors from the Chinese mainland for the 15th National Games, highlighting the potential of the collaborated development of sports and tourism sectors.

Jointly hosted by Guangdong Province, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the Macao SAR from Nov 9 to 21, this year's Games marks the first time to stage competitions across all the three regions of the Greater Bay Area, a pioneering step in regional cooperation.

Many visiting spectators have chosen to turn their trip into a sports-themed vacation.

"I am from Qingdao and visited Hong Kong during the National Games. The city feels even more lively during the event. The services are thoughtful, and I'm having an exceptional experience," said a tourist from north China.

"This is my first time in Hong Kong. I came specifically for the National Games to cheer for the athletes," said a young girl.

"I am from Liaoning and came to experience the National Games' vibrant sports atmosphere. The overall experience has been outstanding," shared a tourist, who brought his young child to feel the unique atmosphere in the city.

Observers said that the 15th National Games is proving the value of the "sports plus tourism" development model, which generates fresh momentum for integration across the Greater Bay Area.

"Recently, we have welcomed a surge of tourists in Hong Kong, with bustling streets reflecting the city's vibrancy. The successful hosting of the National Games has not only shown Hong Kong's capabilities to manage large-scale events, but also reinforced its status as an international events hub. This sets a good foundation for attracting more premier sports events to this city in the future. The National Games has inspired the tourism sector, amplifying the synergy of 'sports plus tourism' and created more cooperation opportunity for the integrated development of the Greater Bay Area," said Tsoi Wing-sing, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

"This National Games is the first major sports event co-hosted by the three places, signifying a new phase of regional integrated development. As a Hong Kong resident, I am deeply grateful to the Central Government for granting Hong Kong the chance to participate in this landmark event," said Charles Ng Wang-wai, also a member of the CPPCC National Committee.

Hong Kong boosts "sports plus tourism" synergy at National Games

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.

In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.

"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.

This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.

By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.

China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.

The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.

"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.

China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting