Feature: Water sports gain momentum in China, boosting tourism

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Five sailboats displayed side by side were some of the most conspicuous elements at the 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), a five-day event to be concluded on Monday in Beijing.

"They were tailored for different groups respectively, including the youth, families, and athletes," introduced Guo Yue, a race director of Western Port International Sailing Center. "The sailboat design has been further improved in beam, mainsail and spinnaker to ensure a safe and joyful experience for sailors."

Guo, also an enthusiast of running and cycling, got involved in sailing in 2017. He said that sailing is not a sport out of reach, while a number of sailing clubs in China can provide equipment and professional guidance for beginners.

Indeed, water events have become popular in outdoor sports, in addition to climbing and mountain cycling. "Currently, many universities nationwide set up sailing teams with wide participation of college students. They can also learn to operate a sailboat by attending online sailing races on their phone or computer to accumulate experience," said Guo.

During the CIFTIS, the Digital and Intelligent Sports Open attracted visitors to join in rowing and other activities in a combination of virtual and reality. Yue Na, corporate partner of Western Port International Sailing Center, noted, "Water sports should be a lifestyle."

At the Paris Olympics, Chinese pair Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya successfully defended their title in the women's canoe double 500m final, while their compatriots Liu Hao and Ji Bowen claimed the men's canoe double 500m gold. 15-year-old Yang Siqi, the first Chinese surfer at the Olympics, already created history by cruising into the last 16.

"Chinese canoeists clinched two golds at the Paris Games, and surfing went viral as an emerging sport among the younger generations," remarked Tong Lixin, director of China Water Sports Administration. "Water sports also cover diving and motorboats. All water sports facilities can be manufactured in China. The whole industry has a huge potential."

Since 2005, Qingdao, in east China's Shandong Province, has been a part of the prestigious Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

"One of the teams is named Qingdao. When it stopped in other cities around the world during the race, more people would get to know more about this beautiful Chinese city. As long as the teams from all over the world came to Qingdao, a series of cultural activities would be held, injecting energy into the city's tourism," said Hu Yan, general manager of the China project of Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

In Qinhuangdao of north China's Hebei Province, the ports were effectively utilized to carry out water sports. Qinhuangdao International Tourism Port cooperated with the French counterparts to develop sailing boats training and competition base, hosting more sporting activities for the young people.

"We should make detailed plans in advance to explore more water areas suitable for water sports to cultivate talents," Tong noted. "China boasts infinite vitalities in water sports." ■