Guangzhou establishes sports think tank

The city of Guangzhou established its first international sports think tank at the opening ceremony of the 2018 China Sports Culture Expo and China Sports Tourism Expo on Dec 11.

The move is aimed at promoting exchanges and cooperation in international sports, studying international sports, boosting the development of sports in Guangzhou, and taking full advantage of the unique role sports plays in the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Government officials and members of the think tank pose for a group photo. [Photo/gzsports.gov]

The 2018 China Sports Culture Expo and China Sports Tourism Expo, organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the All-China Sports Federation and the China Tourism Association, began at the Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center Exhibition Hall on Dec 11, and will run for three days. The events featured six themed exhibitions and forums where experts and scholars shared insights on the development of China's sports culture and sports tourism.

On the afternoon of Dec 11, Zhang Jianhua, deputy secretary general of the Guangzhou municipal government, attended an event held by the think tank and granted letters of appointment to its members.

The sports think tank hosts a discussion on Dec 11 attended by government officials, experts and scholars. [Photo/gzsports.gov]

At the session, Luo Jingjun, head of Guangzhou's sports bureau, discussed the development of sports culture and the sports industry in Guangzhou. He urged the international sports think tank to offer advice on the construction of sports infrastructure in Guangzhou, spreading sports culture and developing a massive sports industry.

"Located near the Tropic of Cancer, Guangzhou is a comfortable place to play sports and the people of Guangzhou tend to enjoy sports like basketball, football, and badminton," Luo said.

"Guangzhou has hosted many prestigious international badminton events", Luo added. 

He stressed that there are no administrative "thresholds" for holding sports competitions in Guangzhou and there is no need to get approval from the sports administration. The southern Chinese city encourages all kinds of international sports organizations to set up operations and hold events there.

Zhang Jianhua (L), deputy secretary general of the Guangzhou municipal government, grants a letter of appointment to one of the think tank's members. [Photo/gzsports.gov]