China Aims to Increase High-Profile International Sports Competitions

Hosting sports competitions has become the biggest contributor to the growth of China's sports services industry, according to the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC). The GASC aims to increase the number of high-profile international competitions hosted in the country.

Zhou Jinqiang, vice chief of the GASC, announced at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) that China will continue to bring in high-profile international sports competitions. He emphasized the importance of sports services in enriching the supply of high-quality services, facilitating connections between domestic and international sports markets, and promoting the upgrade of sports consumption.

Sports Tourism Service Trade Sees Rapid Recovery

China's sports tourism service trade saw a rapid recovery in 2023, fueled by a resurgence in outbound travel tours and international spectators attending high-profile events in China. The total import and export value of the sports tourism service trade reached 43.795 billion yuan in 2023, with imports accounting for a large share. This indicates a growing trend of Chinese people traveling overseas to enjoy sports events.

Beijing Aims to Become a Hub for Sports

CIFTIS host city Beijing is also aiming to develop itself as a place for invigorating sports, spearheading China's sports industry growth. Beijing has been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Athletics Championships and 2029 World Aquatics Championships.

Government Support for Sports Participation

In August, China's State Council issued guidelines aimed at promoting high-quality service consumption, with a focus on boosting sports participation. The measures include government support for bids to introduce influential international top-tier events and encouraging local regions to organize distinctive mass sports events.

Sports Service Sector on Exhibit at CIFTIS

The sports service sector is one of the nine industrial sectors on exhibit at CIFTIS. The sports service exhibition features over 300 brands from more than 30 countries and regions, including China, France, and Italy.