Sports as the medium: Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao join hands to host events, ushering in a new chapter!

The 15th National Games will open in Guangzhou on November 9. On the morning of November 2, the torch relay for the 15th National Games was held simultaneously in four cities—Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. This marks the first cross-border torch relay in the history of the National Games, as well as the first time the torch has been relayed in Hong Kong and Macao.

On the morning of November 2, the torch relay launch ceremony was held at Shenzhen Lianhua Mountain Park. The flame guardians escorted the flame lantern onto the stage, and the flame basin and torch for the 15th National Games were lit successively. The first torchbearer took the torch and commenced the relay. Following the launch ceremony, the torch relay was simultaneously conducted in Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangzhou. It is understood that there will be 200 torchbearers in total for this relay, with 50 torchbearers running in each city.

Shenzhen:Torch relay includes running and aerial relay

The torch relay route in Shenzhen covers a total length of 45 kilometers, with approximately 5 kilometers run on foot and about 40 kilometers transmitted through the air, highlighting the city's characteristic as a "city of openness".

【Torchbearer Xue Qikun (center) starts running with the torch in hand】

Guangzhou: The relay route highlights the city's feature as a "millennium-old commercial hub".

The torch relay route in the Guangzhou section highlights the city's characteristic as a "millennium-old commercial hub," connecting not only historical buildings such as Zhenhai Tower, the Five-Goat Sculpture, and Tianzi Pier but also showcasing new landmarks and spaces like Ersha Island, Xinghai Concert Hall, Zhujiang New Town, and Haixinsha Asian Games Park.

Hong Kong: Torch relay involves running, ferry and bus

The torch route in the Hong Kong region starts at the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Headquarters, spans both sides of the Victoria Harbour, and passes by several famous landmarks in Hong Kong. In addition to running, ferries and buses will also be used.

Macao: Delivery routes connect multiple representative historical and cultural landmarks

The torch relay in the Macau region took place on the Macau Peninsula, with a total route length of approximately 2.6 kilometers, connecting multiple representative historical and cultural landmarks in Macau.

【Torchbearers Guo Jianheng (right) and Ou Haixin pass the torch in front of the Ruins of St. Paul's】

Flame merging ceremony held at Guangdong Olympic Sports Center

During this torch relay, intelligent robots, self-driving cars, low-altitude aircraft, and other technologies were employed for torch passing or connecting relay sections, highlighting the industrial strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an international hub for technological innovation and demonstrating the profound integration of technology and sports. After the torch relay, the flames from the four cities converged in Guangzhou on the afternoon of November 2, where a flame merging ceremony was held at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center to prepare for the lighting of the main torch at the opening ceremony on the evening of November 9.

Taking the 15th National Games as an opportunity and looking back at the development of the sports industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in recent years, an integrated development path that is based on "hard connectivity," hinges on "soft connectivity," and rooted in "heart connectivity" has become increasingly broad.

Integration of culture and people "fuels" the national fitness campaign

With sports serving as the medium and culture as the bridge, the atmosphere for the National Games is growing increasingly strong in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and the enthusiasm for national fitness continues to surge. These three regions boast not only "urban forests" but also over 7,000 kilometers of greenways. To meet the needs of cycling enthusiasts, Guangzhou and Shenzhen have launched dedicated "cycling-friendly bus" routes. By loading bicycles onto these special buses, even on the most niche routes, both body and mind can embark on the journey together.