China's National Games to open with high-tech celebration of Greater Bay Area culture

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- China's 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, will open on Sunday with a ceremony blending cutting-edge technology and rich cultural heritage to spotlight the spirit of the Greater Bay Area, organizers said Saturday.

As China's first ever multi-sport event to be co-hosted by Hong Kong and Macao, the National Games will present an opening ceremony that combines simplicity, creativity and technological brilliance, said Wang Xi, an official from the organizing committee.

The 75-minute program will include the ceremony protocol, a cultural and artistic performance and the torch relay and lighting process.

Wang said that the ceremony adheres to the principle of frugality, featuring a stage of nearly 20,000 square meters without mechanical installations on the ground.

"We've selected cultural symbols and shared memories deeply rooted in the hearts of people across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao," Wang said. "Through modern artistic expression and innovative technology, we aim to let audiences feel both the passion of sports and the cultural charm of the Greater Bay Area."

Powered by technologies such as robotics, virtual reality and augmented reality, the ceremony is expected to breathe new life into traditional culture. "Audiences can expect the iconic lion dance interacting with VR and AR effects immersing viewers in a dragon boat race," Wang revealed.

The opening show will also fuse tradition with modern performance styles - from ballet and hip-hop to symphonic music - to create resonance with younger audiences, Wang added.

According to the organizers, the Games, which run until November 21, will further highlight technological innovation throughout the competition period, featuring more than 130 high-tech applications like autonomous vehicles and AR digital wallets. ■