China targets 7-trillion-yuan sports industry by 2030: official

China's sports industry is set for a major expansion, with authorities aiming to boost its total value to over seven trillion yuan (about one trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030 as part of the nation's push to build a world-leading sports power during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the head of the national sports administration announced Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference, Gao Zhidan, director of China's General Administration of Sport, outlined how the sports sector will be harnessed as a strategic engine for boosting domestic consumer demand and economic growth during this five-year period.

"During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will more actively leverage the important role of sports in the strategy of expanding domestic demand, activate the potential of sports consumption, and promote the development of the sports industry. By 2030, we will strive to achieve the goal of expanding the total value of the sports industry to over seven trillion yuan, to better serve the overall economic and social development," said Gao.

Beyond the target, Gao detailed a sweeping modernization agenda that spans diversified fitness and leisure industries, upgraded competition and performance sectors, and deeper integration of sports with commerce, tourism, culture, and health. He also underscored the economic potential of major sporting events and outdoor activities.

"We will improve the modernized sports industry system, promote the diversified development of the fitness and leisure industry, improve the competition and performance industry chain, create a batch of domestic sports trendy products with technological content, and promote the integrated development of commerce, tourism, culture, sports, and health. We will vigorously develop the event economy, enrich event consumption scenarios, optimize the event consumption environment, support the creation of a batch of high-quality independent brand events, and promote the transformation of event popularity into local economic growth. Taking the construction of high-quality outdoor sports destinations as a driving force, we will encourage localities to leverage their resource advantages, develop outdoor sports according to local conditions, and consolidate and expand China’s achievements of engaging 300 million people participating in ice and snow sports," said Gao.

China targets 7-trillion-yuan sports industry by 2030: official

Several Egyptian officials have hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's latest state visit to their country as a boost to bilateral relations and a tour that could add stability to a world with rising regional and international tensions.

Xi paid a state visit to Egypt from Tuesday to Wednesday. During the visit, he held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents, and the two countries issued a joint statement on further deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Mohamed Hegazy, former assistant to Egyptian Foreign Minister, noted that the friendly relations between Egypt and China, which share thousands of years of history and rich culture, set an example for peaceful co-existence.

"Two countries that have many bonds through civilization dialogue and relations that exist between two civilizations, comprehensively add to the value of the principles of co-existence, non-interference in general, and enhancing international law and world order," he said.

Hegazy also lauded the role of China's global initiatives in addressing global challenges and promoting peace and development.

"Today, China is playing a very important role in introducing initiatives and ideas that bring us together in a time -- unprecedented time of disarray and war and conflicts. China brings wisdom to the international relations through the many initiatives that have been announced," Hegazy said.

Soliman Wahdan, a member of the Egyptian parliament, extended warm welcome to the Chinese leader, as well as expectations that the visit would help ease tensions in the region.

"He is a dear guest for Egypt. The Egyptian people and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi are very interested in this visit by the Chinese president in this delicate time amid regional and international tensions," Wahdan said.

Egyptian officials hail Xi's visit