On the evening of November 9, 2025, the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area — one of China’s most dynamic and vital regions — was ablaze with light as the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China (the “15th National Games”) officially opened in grand fashion. With the theme “Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area,” this sporting extravaganza showcased to the world a new dimension of China’s sporting spirit — one defined by integration and coexistence, sustainable development, and technological innovation. No longer confined to the pursuit of victory and defeat, the Games have become a “deep-sea torch” illuminating the future of the Greater Bay Area’s integrated development.
I. Igniting the Flame from the Deep Sea: Taking the Spirit of Sports from Land to the Deep Blue
The flame-lighting ceremony of the 15th National Games was nothing short of groundbreaking. China’s independently developed deep-sea remotely operated vehicle, “Haima,” successfully ignited the flame from a depth of 1,522 meters in the South China Sea. This marked the first time in the history of any major international multi-sport event that a flame was sourced from the deep sea. Beyond its technological feat, this act symbolized the strategic expansion of Chinese sports — from land to ocean, from the familiar to the unknown — embodying the very essence of the sporting spirit: the courage to explore and the will to break boundaries. Following its deep-sea origin, the flame was relayed across Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao. This cross-regional torch relay, spanning the framework of “One Country, Two Systems,” not only united young people from the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, but also celebrated the fusion of diverse cultures, vividly demonstrating the rich and inclusive vitality of sports.
II. Co-hosting Across the Bay Area: Regional Synergy Reshaping the Landscape of the National Games
The 15th National Games took place from November 9 to 21, with the opening ceremony held in Guangzhou, China. The Games featured 34 competitive sports and 419 events, along with an expanded program of mass sports activities. A total of 88 venues were used, 75 in Guangdong, 7 in Hong Kong, and 6 in Macao. This marked the first time in history that the National Games were jointly hosted by three regions, making it a vivid demonstration of Greater Bay Area integration in action. Through the innovative mechanism of one event, three regions; one policy, three regions; one plan, three regions, the Games enabled the efficient flow of people, capital, and information across administrative boundaries. These integrated resources not only ensured the high quality of the competition but also transformed the vitality of sports into economic momentum, igniting a deep-sea flame that powers the industrial upgrading and collaborative growth of the Greater Bay Area.
III. Technology Empowerment: Green and Smart Innovations Redefine the Future of Sports Arenas
Both on and off the field, technology and sustainability have been the most striking features of the 15th National Games. In the Guangzhou competition zone, measures such as alternate-day vehicle restrictions and volunteer training launched 10 months in advance vividly embodied the spirit of low-carbon event management. At the opening ceremony, a music video integrating Lingnan cultural elements with AI effects combined deep-sea imagery and live stadium scenes, conveying the era-defining theme of “technology empowering sports.” In the mass-participation events, tens of thousands of amateur athletes competed on professional stages. Activities like badminton and square dancing not only broke down elite barriers but also transformed the slogan of “sports for all” into reality, embedding the spirit of sports into daily life much like the tides of the Greater Bay Area. This infusion of sustainability, echoing the environmental symbolism of the deep-sea flame, offers a compelling response to global climate challenges and highlights China’s international responsibility and leadership in sports.
IV. Integration and Shared Prosperity: The Spirit of Sports Forging an Engine for National Rejuvenation
The deeper significance of the 15th National Games lies in using sports as a bridge — connecting past and future, elites and the public, technology and humanity. The wide participation of youth from Hong Kong and Macao has enriched the practice of “One Country, Two Systems.” Notably, when Macao athletes relayed the torch at a peninsula landmark, the warmth of cultural integration carried far more weight than any gold medal. This represents a new form of “integrated sportsmanship”: not a zero-sum game, but a deep-sea expedition of mutual benefit and shared prosperity. The myriad moments of the Games together compose a symphony of China’s sporting spirit — as profound as the ocean, as inclusive as the bay, and as innovative as fire.
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