Greater Bay Area Celebrates Historic National Games Torch Relay
The 15th National Games achieved a first on Sunday with a simultaneous, cross-boundary torch relay spanning four cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao. Two hundred torchbearers – 50 in each city – participated in the event, marking a critically important moment for the region.
This year’s relay is notable for its unique “source flame,” ignited in early October from combustible ice harvested from the Haima cold seep in the South China Sea at a depth of 1,522 meters.The innovative approach underscores China’s technological advancements.
The relay launch in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, was hailed by governor Meng Fanli as a powerful demonstration of both the Chinese and olympic spirits, and a catalyst for national strength and rejuvenation. He emphasized the event’s role in showcasing the successes of the “one country, two systems” policy and the growth of the Greater Bay Area to a global audience.
Torchbearers expressed pride in representing both the Games and their cultural heritage. Li Jiayi,a renowned Yueju Opera actress,highlighted carrying ”not only the flame for the National Games,but also the cultural fire passed down from generation to generation.” Liu Pingyun, a professor at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, noted the relay’s presentation of the region’s history, culture, and vibrancy as it passed through Guangzhou landmarks.
The relay also featured a glimpse into the future of technology with the debut of Kuavo,the world’s first 5G-A humanoid robot torchbearer,in shenzhen. Hong Kong’s acting chief executive, Eric Chan Kwok-ki, affirmed the relay’s success in highlighting the Greater Bay Area’s strengths and Hong Kong’s position as a global city.
On November 9th,representatives from each of the four cities will converge at the guangdong Olympic Sports center in Guangzhou to merge their respective flames into a single flame,which will then be used to light the main cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games.