Chinese sailing capital Qingdao embraces more opportunities

The British Embassy Beijing held a forum to discuss exchanges and cooperation in the UK-China sailing industry in Qingdao on March 18, just during the seventh stopover of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in the Qingdao West Coast New Area.

Since the first Clipper Round the World Yacht Race held in Qingdao 14 years ago, the largest amateur global sailing event has established a close cooperation with the coastal city.

Chinese made yachts have featured largely since the 2013-14 season of the events, and earned good reputation for Chinese sailing industry.

"The cooperation between Qingdao and Clipper has become a relatively successful case in Chinese sailing. As the largest amateur global sailing event, the race plays a very positive role in establishing the 'Sailing Capital' brand of Qingdao. It helps to enhance Qingdao's international reputation and promot developments of Qingdao's cultural, tourism and sports industries", said Zhang Xiaodong, president of the Chinese Yachting Association (CYA).

Zhang added that sailing not only brings the world's attention to Qingdao but also an opportunity to showcase the city's booming economic strength and hardware facilities.

According to Zhang, Qingdao's sailing sports has reached a good scale after 17 years of accumulation and development, and the development momentum of Chinese sailing is very strong.

Zhang hoped that there will be more cities joining in sailing events.