42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

China will send 405 athletes, including 42 Olympic champions, to the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, according to an official announcement in Beijing on Saturday.

The country's full Olympic delegation will include 716 members, with 136 male and 269 female athletes among them set to compete in 30 sports.

Deputy Director of China's State General Administration of Sport Zhou Jinqiang announced the delegation list with a significant portion of the delegation in attendance. Zhou added that the average age of the competitors is 25, while 223 athletes will make their Olympic debut in Paris.

Women's skateboarding athlete Zheng Haohao, 11, is the youngest member of the delegation, while the 37-year-old race walker Liu Hong, who is on her fifth Olympic trip, will be the oldest.

Over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 countries and regions are expected to take part in the Paris Olympics from July 26 to August 11.

42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

42 Olympic champions lead Chinese delegation to Paris Olympics

As the 2025 Spring Festival approaches, Chinese consumers are flocking to markets to purchase aquatic products and meat in preparation for the festive feasts, driving up sales ahead of a holiday that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and tradition.

Located in eastern China's Fujian Province, the Fujian Strait Aquatic Products Trading Center in Fuzhou, the largest spot market for aquatic products in Southeast Asia, is witnessing a surge in trading volumes starting on New Year's Day, with trading activity expected to reach its peak ahead of the festival.

Covering an area of over 300,000 square meters, the center primarily serves as a wholesale market, with its sales network spanning across the entire country.

According to the market's manager, before Jan 1, approximately 3,000 trucks delivered products daily. In the past two days, the number has risen to 3,500 trucks, and it is expected to reach 7,000 trucks in the days leading up to the festival.

In Jinhua City in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, the beef and mutton market has also entered its peak season, with a significant rise in sales of both products at wholesale markets and fresh supermarkets.

"I bought a lamb chop to make mutton hot pot, which is good for health during this cold winter," said a customer.

The Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Jan 29 this year and the Spring Festival holiday will last until Feb 4. It is China's most important festival and an occasion for family reunion.

Sales of aquatic products, meat surge ahead of Spring Festival