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

China's logistics business volume continued to rise in December of 2024, with the prosperity index reaching a new high for 2024, indicating a significant increase in logistics activity, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Friday.

In December 2024, the prosperity index of China's logistics industry stood at 53.1 percent, up by 0.3 percentage points from the previous month.

Supported by favorable policies and inherent market dynamics, the total logistics business volume index has risen for five consecutive months.

Business volume indexes have shown balanced growth across the nation, with the eastern region experiencing the most significant climb.

From an industry perspective, there was a notable upturn in logistics demand during the month in sectors such as electrical machinery, semiconductors, communication equipment, transportation equipment, and new energy vehicle manufacturing.

In addition, the potential for residential consumption continues to be released, with stable demand for online shopping.

The total business volume indexes for road transport, water transport, and multimodal transport all showed varying degrees of increase month on month.

Meanwhile, the total business volume indexes for railway transport, air transport, and postal express industries remained above 55 percent, indicating a high level of prosperity.

"Throughout the year of 2024, the prosperity index of China's logistics industry demonstrated a pattern of stability followed by growth, maintaining a steady upward trend in overall logistics operations. The continuous enhancement of logistics service capabilities, characterized by high quality, high efficiency, and high adaptability, plays a crucial foundational role in promoting both domestic and international economic circulation, accelerating the flow of goods, and ensuring the stable operation of the national economy," said Liu Yuhang, director of the China Logistics Information Center.

China's logistics sector in Dec reaches new high for 2024