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Celebration activities will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in August to mark the 100-day countdown to the 15th National Games, according to a press conference on the latest updates of the Games held by the State Council Information Office in Beijing on Friday.

Tong Lixin, vice minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, said the renovation of competition venues for the National Games has been completed, and the official competition schedule has been released. More than half of the 68 test events have already been held.

The preparation for the Games has adhered to the principles of being "green, inclusive, open, and honest," and followed the requirements of being "streamlined, safe, and spectacular." No new large-scale venues or athletes' villages were built. Over 90 percent of the competition venues have been upgraded from existing facilities, effectively reducing the cost of hosting the event, Tong said.

The National Games will be held from November 9 to 21 in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and feature 34 competitive sports and 23 mass sports activities.

The torch relay route will span Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The opening and closing ceremonies will blend Lingnan traditions, Hong Kong and Macao characteristics, and sports culture, delivering a visual spectacle that highlights both the richness of Chinese culture and the technological allure of the Greater Bay Area, Tong noted.

It will mark the first time that Hong Kong and Macao will co-host the nation's largest and highest-level sporting event since the first edition was launched in 1959.

Wang Xi, vice president of the Organizing Committee of the 15th National Games and member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, said that Guangdong will launch a series of themed celebration events on August 1 to mark the 100-day countdown to the opening ceremony.

Taking into account the preferences of residents in Hong Kong and Macao. Fencing and rugby events will be held in the Hong Kong competition zone, while table tennis and volleyball will take place in Macao. After the Games, all venues will be opened to the public, Wang said.

Chan Kwok-ki, vice president of the Organizing Committee of the 15th National Games and chief secretary for Administration of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the Games will deepen sports and broader cooperation across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and open a new chapter in the region's development.

"Since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has participated in seven editions of the National Games. This year marks a historic milestone as we co-host the 15th National Games together with Guangdong and Macao. This joint effort holds great significance," said Chan.

Hong Kong will host eight events for the Games, including U-22 men's basketball, track cycling, fencing, and one mass sports event - bowling. All test events for these competitions have been successfully completed, according to the press conference.

A major event marking the 100-day countdown to the Games will be held in Hong Kong on August 2, followed by a citywide "National Games Fitness Day" on August 3, with all 18 districts across Hong Kong participating in themed activities, said Chan.

O Lam, vice president of the Organizing Committee of the 15th National Games and secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, said that the Macao competition zone is steadily advancing its preparations. It has successfully completed operational tests for five events of the Games.

The Macao competition zone will host a special countdown event on August 1 to mark the 100-day countdown to the Games.

The National Games, now in its 15th edition, has witnessed the development of China's sports. The Games also serves as a vivid lesson in patriotism. "We will fully leverage the opportunity of hosting the National Games to carry out patriotic education and awareness activities," said O Lam.

Global Times