China will officially launch the National Games 2025 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, this Sunday. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will open the event.
The opening ceremony will take place at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center. China Media Group will broadcast it live, and Xinhuanet will provide photo and text updates. This year’s National Games 2025 marks the first time the event is co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Organizers implemented measures to ensure smooth coordination across the three regions. Li Jing, a committee official, explained that seamless customs clearance addresses challenges for athletes, materials, and equipment moving across borders.
For instance, fencing swords, racing bicycles, and triathlon bikes from mainland athletes can pass through checkpoints as personal luggage. Organizers also established dedicated customs lanes, streamlined clearance protocols, and emergency coordination measures.
National Games 2025 will feature innovative cross-border competitions. A men’s road cycling race will link all three regions via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Athletes will also run a marathon spanning Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
Li stressed that these competitions aim to strengthen interconnectivity and coordinated development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The events also highlight the advantages of “one country, two systems.”
Experts said the Games provide a model for future multi-regional sports events in China. They also noted that the National Games 2025 could boost tourism and showcase regional logistical capabilities.
The National Games 2025 run from November 9 to 21. Organizers promise a dynamic schedule of competitions, cultural activities, and cross-border initiatives to enhance regional integration.
