Coastal Rizhao set for major sports, leisure events

Coastal city Rizhao, in East China's Shandong province, is gearing up to host a major leisure sports event featuring various outdoor activities, an official said on Wednesday.

Zhang Bingchen, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Sports Bureau, told reporters that the 2024 China Sports and Leisure Conference and Sports Tourism Season will be held from April to June, with the opening ceremony scheduled for May 9.

Rizhao will host 63 events, including 26 national-level and 16 provincial-level events, with more than 100,000 participants expected.

At Wednesday's news conference in Beijing, Zhang introduced the launch of the first Shandong Outdoor Sports and Leisure Tourism Season, along with a series of supporting events, to further spur the development of the sports sector.

The 2024 China Sports and Leisure Conference and Sports Tourism Season is an innovative brand event for sports leisure and tourism in Rizhao and an important platform for Shandong to showcase its sports industry to the world, he said.

It will leverage the conference to create more high-quality sports tourism destinations and accelerate the development of Shandong's outdoor sports industry, he said.

The event is jointly organized by the China Sports Press Group, the Shandong Provincial Sports Bureau, the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the People's Government of Rizhao City, and the China Celebrity Fishing Club.

Wang Feng, deputy secretary of Rizhao's Party committee, said the city has successfully hosted over 300 national and provincial-level sports events, establishing a new pattern of events characterized by "strong ball sports, excellent outdoor activities, and diverse competitions".

This year's event highlights the theme of sports consumption, featuring a distinctive combination of mountains and ocean, a rich variety of supporting events, and a fusion of sports and tourism, Wang said.

Rizhao is committed to delivering a spectacular sports tourism event with a first-class environment, facilities and services,he said.

Yuan Haina, secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the China Sports Press Group, expressed in her speech that the event is focused on revitalizing the city's sports and leisure vitality and promoting the exchange and dissemination of innovative experiences in sports and leisure cities.

Wu Guangfeng, Party secretary of Rizhao's Wulian county committee, introduced the development of the "sports + tourism" industry in Wulian.

The county adheres to hosting events based on its natural scenery, successfully organizing national-level events such as the "China Wulian · Green Mountains and Clear Waters" Games and the China Wulian Tai Chi Invitational Tournament, Wu said.

The Eighth China Wulian Tai Chi Invitational Tournament is scheduled to be held from May 9 to 11, featuring a rich array of competitions, exchanges and exhibitions, creating a carnival atmosphere for tai chi events, he said.