Plugged into the dawn of a new age

By 2020, the market value is expected to exceed 20 billion yuan ($3 billion). Last year, there were 250 million Chinese gamers－a figure that is projected to rise to 300 million by 2020. Poised to become a medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, e-sports is looking to join the Olympics.

"Our agenda is to push the Olympic agenda," said Fok. "This is our work. This is our passion, this is what drives us. When? I don't know ... and I do not want to predict. It's a very good first step, and we will take down obstacles, step by step."

At an International Olympic Committee forum on e-sports last month in Lausanne, Switzerland, IOC president Thomas Bach said there is a growing connection between the Olympics and e-sports and vowed to explore ways the two communities can work together.

"On this solid ground we can build a partnership," he said.

That's also the wish of the business sector.

"The Olympic spirit, mentioned in the Olympic charter, emphasizes mutual understanding, friendship, solidarity and fair play－all of which are integral to e-sports," said Edward Cheng, vice-president of Tencent Group.

"Watching an e-sports competition is tantamount to watching a World Cup match or an NBA game, full of energy and vigor celebrating collaboration, hard work and tenacity.

"E-sports is gradually gaining recognition worldwide, and as the most dynamic e-sports market, Asia has cultivated hundreds of millions of enthusiasts while spearheading new developmental trends.

"In the past two years, Asian mobile e-sports have exploded and shown eye-opening potential. According to statistics, in the first half of 2017, Asia alone seized more than 60 percent of the global market share in mobile e-sports.

"It is believed that with new mobile internet access, gaming will provide the momentum to drive even further development in the evolution of Asian e-sports."