Guangzhou (TDI): China marked a new chapter in its sporting history on Sunday as the torch relay for the 15th National Games began simultaneously across Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, creating the first-ever cross-boundary torch relay in the event’s history.
The ceremonial launch took place in Shenzhen, after which the relay unfolded in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, the four core cities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The event featured 200 torchbearers from diverse backgrounds, including renowned physicist Xue Qikun and former Olympic diving champion Yang Jinghui.
Speaking at the ceremony, Meng Fanli, governor of Guangdong and executive director of the Games’ organizing committee, said the relay embodies both the Chinese sports spirit and the Olympic spirit, symbolizing unity and national pride. He added that the event showcases the vitality of the “one country, two systems” framework and the growing integration within the Greater Bay Area, drawing international attention to the region’s success.
Following the relay, the flames from the four participating cities converged in Guangzhou at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, where they were merged into a single torch. This combined flame will ignite the main cauldron during the opening ceremony on November 9.
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Experts have described the event as a landmark demonstration of regional connectivity and cooperation. They said the coordination between Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, despite differing administrative systems, represents the most tangible realization of the GBA’s integration goals.
According to organizers, the relay combined on-ground and point-to-point routes, linking key landmarks and showcasing each city’s cultural character. The process was streamlined to allow torches, equipment, and uniforms to clear customs and arrive at multiple destinations within the same day.
The upcoming Games will also feature its first cross-boundary competition, a men’s individual road cycling race on November 8, connecting Hong Kong, Macao, Zhuhai, and the Hengqin Guangdong–Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone via the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge.
Covering 231.8 kilometers, the race will involve 104 athletes from across China, including Hong Kong and Macao participants. Riders will cross border points six times but will benefit from “seamless customs clearance” enabled by advanced facial recognition and RFID technologies.
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The 15th National Games torch relay has also introduced several technological innovations, incorporating intelligent robots, autonomous vehicles, and low-altitude drones to assist in carrying and linking segments of the flame, a showcase of China’s deep integration of technology and sports.
As the unified flame prepares to light the cauldron in Guangzhou next week, the 15th National Games stand as a symbol of regional unity, innovation, and the growing interconnectedness of the Greater Bay Area.
