The picturesque city of Guigang, nestled in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is gearing up to host the Belt and Road Diplomats Cycling Series starting September 10. A unique blend of athleticism, diplomacy, and cultural exchange, the series will see participation from diplomats, primarily from Southeast Asian nations, among others.
According to Sun Weimin, vice chief of China’s premier cycling authority, the anticipated participation for the Guigang race stands at over 100, comprising diplomats and international students. While the invitations to the diplomats for the race are still in progress, the enthusiasm is palpable.
The event lineup in Guangxi promises an action-packed schedule, featuring teams of diplomats, individual men’s and women’s races, and inclusive family-oriented races. It’s noteworthy that the men’s event registrations were swiftly filled within a day, highlighting the sport’s growing appeal.
Going beyond traditional race formats, the organizers have also integrated a unique touch aligned with Guigang’s focus on clean energy. Attendees and participants will have the opportunity to witness an electric bicycle race, connecting the city’s electric vehicle industry vision with the sporting event. The races, designed as circuit races, will challenge the participants with varying distances ranging from a quick 10-kilometer sprint to a more enduring 60-kilometer ride.
Positioned strategically in the Pearl River-Xijiang Economic Belt, Guigang serves as a pivotal gateway for the eastern outbound route, connecting South and Southwest China. Furthermore, given its proximity to Southeast Asian nations, Guangxi has evolved as a crucial communication and investment hub for China, drawing significant foreign investments and a sizable number of overseas students from the neighboring regions.
The cycling series is not limited to Guangxi. After its kickoff, the event caravan will journey to Changzhou in East China’s Jiangsu Province. The grand conclusion awaits in China’s capital, Beijing, scheduled for mid-October.
Yuan Xiangyang, a senior official associated with the cycling administration, shared insights into the extensive preparations behind the scenes. “It’s a culmination of three years of hard work,” Yuan said, emphasizing the larger goal behind the initiative. “Our vision is to foster deeper understanding and friendships among diverse nationalities through the shared love of cycling.”
While China boasts an enormous cycling enthusiast population, Yuan acknowledged that the nation hasn’t achieved the same level of prominence in competitive cycling. Despite a commendable Olympic medal tally, only eight were attributed to cycling. Yuan remains optimistic, highlighting that some participating diplomats come with a rich competitive cycling pedigree, an experience he hopes they would share, inspiring Chinese athletes in the process.
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