Rise of fitness events in China to fuel economic growth

China is experiencing a surge in outdoor and sporting activities which serve as a powerful catalyst for consumption and economic growth.

In Baoding City, north China's Hebei Province, residents are flocking to a local sports center for their fitness fix. Activities such as tug-of-war, balance bike racing, and pickleball are igniting public enthusiasm for sports.

"Pickleball is such a vibrant and enjoyable sport. It allows us not only to experience the joy of sports but also to appreciate the power of teamwork. I hope there will be more events like this in the future so that pickleball can gain wider popularity in Baoding," said Guo Yingqiu, a pickleball enthusiast.

While sports focus on physical activities, they also help boost the local economy. Streets surrounding the sports center were packed with vendors selling products like table tennis rackets and snacks.

Chinese cities have also benefited from hosting sporting events. Over the past month, China hosted several international competitions, including the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. Ticket sales exceeded 80 million yuan (over 11.3 million U.S. dollars), reflecting a 60 percent increase from the previous year.

This year's tournament also attracted more sponsorships. The 2024 Wuhan Open saw a rise in viewership and revenue, driven by an influx of out-of-town visitors. Of the 180,000 spectators, more than 44 percent traveled to Wuhan for the tournament, contributing significantly to the local economy, particularly in the food and hospitality sectors.

"Sports events are a powerful tool for fostering new types of consumption and expanding existing markets. Moving forward, we aim to develop the sports event economy by creating an ecosystem that unleashes the sector's potential and cultivates a sustainable consumer market," said Chen Jie, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports.

Latest reports indicate that bookings for outdoor sports in the first half of this year surged by nearly 60 percent. With the winter sports season approaching, China anticipates further growth in the sports sector nationwide.

Rise of fitness events in China to fuel economic growth

A Chinese-built water supply project was officially handed over to the Angolan government in Cabinda Province on Monday and is predicted to benefit more than 600,000 people in the country.

Built by China Railway 20th Bureau Group Corporation Limited (CR20) since 2017, the Cabinda water supply project is the largest livelihood project invested by Angola in the province and represents the most advanced, intelligent, and modern water supply system in the country.

For many years, residents of Cabinda Province suffered from water shortage due to a lack of infrastructure, with most of them relying on water delivery trucks for daily usage.

Now, the project is expected to help solve the local water shortage problem and allowed many villagers to directly access tap water for the first time, said Yuan Xuefeng, the operation and maintenance manager of Cabinda water supply project.

"After being approved and delivered, the project can benefit 90 percent of the residential areas in Cabinda Province and meet the water needs of 600,000 people, greatly improving local residents' plight of water scarcity and poor water quality," explained Yuan.

The water supply project is comprised of 74 centralized points, with the capacity to supply 50,000 cubic meters of water per day. Throughout its construction period, over 1,000 employment opportunities were generated by the construction company for individuals in Cabinda Province.

China-aided water supply project in Angola completed