Ethnic Minorities Games platform to promote exchanges of ethnic peoples: athletes

Athletes participating in the Ethnic Minorities Games said that the event serves not only as a platform for athletes from different ethnic minorities to compete but also to promote exchange among them.

Nearly 7,000 athletes from 35 delegations across China will compete in 18 sports events and 170 demonstration events at the on-going China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities at the Sports Center in Sanya, a coastal city in Hainan Province.

"This is my first time participating in such a big event and it's quite thrilling. I will compete in the board-shoe racing competition. It was created by the Zhuang people and aimed to train the infantry with consistent steps. During our training, the three teammates must be united in heart and mind and focus on the coordination and harmony in action. When an accident happens, or when one member is about to fall, the other two will help. Our goal in this year's event is to break our own record," said Ma Hongyang, an athlete from Mongolian Minority Board-Shoe Racing.

"I think this event can promote exchanges among all ethnic groups and enhance national cohesion. I'm here to learn from others," said Wang Xuefei, an athlete from Hui Minority Spinning-Top.

At the opening of the Games, the crowd was treated to a diverse display of dances, movements, and martial arts.

The opening ceremony aims to foster a unified sense of belonging and shared identity among the Chinese nation, according to Sha Xiaolan, chief director of the ceremony.

"The opening ceremony conveyed the idea of 'consolidating the sense of community for the Chinese nation.' We are a nation with 56 ethnic groups living together on the land of 9.6 million square kilometers," said Sha.

Following the opening come various competitions. But for the coming week it will also be about the spirit and chances to learn from each other, rather than just gold medals.

Ethnic Minorities Games platform to promote exchanges of ethnic peoples: athletes

China's meteorological authorities on Saturday renewed blue alerts for cold waves and strong winds, with sharp drops in temperature and powerful winds expected to hit parts of the country in the coming days.

From Saturday to Thursday, temperatures in most parts of China will fall by six to 10 degrees Celsius, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

Some places in the northwestern, northern and northeastern parts of China are expected to experience temperature drops between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, with some areas up to 16 degrees Celsius.

The center also renewed a blue alert for strong winds for regions including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Xizang, Ningxia, the Taiwan Strait, the sea area off the east of Taiwan, and parts of the South China Sea.

According to the forecast, northern parts of China will see strong winds between force five and six, with gusts reaching force eight. Offshore winds are expected to hit force eight, with gusts reaching force nine. The NMC has urged vessels in potentially affected sea areas to take precautions against the dangerous conditions.

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a snowstorm struck the Tianshan Mountains along National Highway 218 on Friday, with wind gusts reaching force 10. Visibility in some sections dropped to under 50 meters, while heavy snow and ice have caused dangerous driving conditions.

Meanwhile, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has seen its first major snowfall of the season, with accumulations ranging from 4 to 8 millimeters. Road maintenance teams have been deployed to clear snow and apply anti-slip measures to ensure road safety for motorists.

China has a three-tier, color-coded weather warning system for cold waves, with orange representing the most severe weather, followed by yellow and blue.

China renews alerts for cold waves, strong winds