Delegations make grand entrance as China's 15th National Games opens

China’s 15th National Games opened in Guangzhou on Sunday, co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao for the first time. President Xi Jinping attended the ceremony, celebrating sport, unity and cultural pride.

China’s 15th National Games officially opened on Sunday evening (November 9) with a grand ceremony in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan attended the event, where athletes and fitness enthusiasts from 37 delegations across the country made a striking entrance at the Guangdong Olympic Centre Stadium.

The ceremony began at 20:00 local time, with an honour guard from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) solemnly carrying the national flag into the arena. The flags of the National Games of the People’s Republic of China and the 15th edition of the Games followed, symbolising national unity and sporting spirit.

Delegations representing China’s provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, entered the stadium to enthusiastic applause. Xi and Peng waved and greeted the athletes, who responded with cheers and waves.

The Games, running from November 9 to 21, mark the first time that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has co-hosted the nation’s largest multi-sport event, underlining regional integration and cooperation.

First held in 1959, the National Games stand as China’s premier multi-sport competition, often described as the country’s own “mini-Olympics.”

The 15th edition features 34 competitive sports with 419 events, alongside 23 mass participation sports featuring 166 events, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for fitness and grassroots sport across the nation.

The opening ceremony showcased music, dance, and visual performances celebrating China’s cultural diversity and the country’s commitment to promoting sportsmanship, unity, and national pride.

Xi’s attendance underscored the government’s continued emphasis on sport as a pillar of national development, encouraging youth participation and regional collaboration in athletics and health initiatives.

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