China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities open in Sanya

The opening ceremony of China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities took place on Friday night at the Sports Center in Sanya, a coastal city in Hainan Province, enhanced by modern technology and the city's unique charm.

The ceremony showcased the rich traditional cultures of various Chinese ethnic groups, providing an impressive auditory and visual feast, symbolizing unity and harmony among different ethnicities.

Concentric circles, a powerful symbol in Chinese culture of togetherness, shared purpose, and the harmonious coexistence of diverse elements within a unified framework, were featured throughout the opening ceremony.

The main stage was creatively designed in a circular shape, and following the entry ceremonies, 35 delegations from across the country gathered at the center to form a symbolic concentric circle. The theme song and the cauldron further emphasized this concentric circle theme.

During the nine-day event, which will conclude on November 30, 6,960 athletes representing 35 delegations across China will compete in 18 sports and three demonstration sports.

China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities open in Sanya

A massive avalanche occurred in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region at 18:09 on Thursday, engulfing the entire valley below in seconds.

The dramatic moment was captured by surveillance cameras in the Oytagh Glacier Park scenic area in Akto County. The video shows an enormous mass of snow cascading down from the summit of Chakragil in the Kunlun Mountains. As the avalanche unfolded, the snow accumulated rapidly, forming a towering "snow wall" tens of meters high and covering the entire valley in less than a minute.

Fortunately, the avalanche occurred in an uninhabited high-altitude area, so no injuries or casualties were reported.

The Chakragil, which is more than 6,000 meters above sea level, is constantly covered with snow. The region had recently experienced heavy snowfall, resulting in a build-up of snow thick enough to trigger the avalanche.

Stunning footage from Xinjiang shows massive avalanche engulfing valley in seconds

Stunning footage from Xinjiang shows massive avalanche engulfs valley in seconds