The highly anticipated torch relay for China's 15th National Games will take place on the morning of Nov. 2 next month, with simultaneous relays held in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. A total of 200 torchbearers will participate, with each city assigned 50 torches, and each leg covering a distance ranging from 50 to 100 meters. The torch will be passed through land, sea, and air, showcasing elements of modern technology.
The relay will kick off at 9:00 a.m. in Shenzhen's Lianhuashan Park, with a helicopter carrying the torch for part of the air relay. At 9:30 a.m., the opening ceremonies will take place in HK, Macao, and Guangzhou, with the relay simultaneously proceeding in these cities. In HK, the relay will begin at the Central Government Complex. The torchbearer will take a ferry across Victoria Harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui, then board an open-top bus to the finish line at Kai Tak Sports Park.
According to Yeung Tak-keung, Director of the National Games Coordination Office (HK), approximately half of the 50 torchbearers in HK will be representatives from the sports community, while around 30% will represent sponsoring organizations. The remaining torchbearers will include volunteers, youth representatives, individuals with disabilities, and members of ethnic minority groups, reflecting HK's inclusive and diverse society.
A press conference for the torch relay was held yesterday (Oct. 27) in Guangzhou, announcing that the relay will occur simultaneously in HK, Macao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen on Nov. 2. Tang Guohua, Deputy Director of the Large-scale Events and Volunteer Service Department of the Guangdong Organizing Committee, emphasized that the torch relay will offer a unique and exciting experience for the nation. To ensure smooth coordination, a relay command center has been set up to oversee the planning and execution. Preparatory work for the relay is now essentially complete.
Torchbearers showcase diversity, reflecting excellence across various fields
The biggest highlight of the torch relay is the collaborative progress of the three places and the relay among the four cities. In addition to individual torchbearers, group torchbearers have also been arranged. Each group torchbearer team consists of one lead torchbearer and up to six supporting runners, collectively showcasing the spirit and achievements of specific fields or teams.
The torchbearers come from diverse backgrounds. Taking the Guangdong division as an example, the torchbearers include representatives of exemplary role models, grassroots workers, sports professionals, and outstanding individuals from various fields such as education, science and technology, culture, and healthcare.
Additionally, representatives from minority ethnic groups, Taiwan compatriots, overseas Chinese, and foreign nationals have been included. Notably, ordinary citizens such as sanitation workers, food delivery riders, bus drivers, ride-hailing drivers, nurses, and childcare workers have also been specially selected and arranged as torchbearers. Furthermore, group torchbearer teams include contingents of migrant workers and volunteers.
The torch relay will officially begin at 9:00 a.m. with a launch ceremony held at Shenzhen's Lianhuashan Park. At 9:30 a.m., the torch relay will simultaneously kick off in HK, Macao, and Guangzhou. Once the relay concludes, representatives from the four cities will transport the flames back to Guangzhou. Around 5:00 p.m. that same day, a simple flame-merging ceremony will take place at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium, the venue for the Games' opening ceremony, seamlessly connecting the outdoor torch relay with the indoor torch relay and the lighting of the main cauldron during the opening ceremony.
From Tamar to Kai Tak: Relay route in HK embodies a blend of old and new
In HK, the relay will begin at the Central Government Complex located in Tamar, passing through Tamar Park, along the waterfront in Central and Wanchai, and visiting landmarks such as the Monument and Golden Bauhinia Square. The torchbearer will then board a ferry at Wan Chai Ferry Pier to cross Victoria Harbour to Tsim Sha Tsui. From there, the torchbearer will run along the harborfront to East Tsim Sha Tsui, passing the Cultural Centre and the Museum of Art, before completing the relay by taking an open-top bus to Kai Tak Sports Park. The entire relay will take approximately two hours.
Yeung noted that the route highlights HK's cultural and sporting features and its role as an international hub for major events.
"Victoria Harbour, as HK's most iconic landmark, brings together the characteristics of both sides of the harbour. The Central and Wan Chai areas showcase the financial center and modern architecture, reflecting the vibrancy of an international metropolis. The historic ferry ride symbolizes the cultural fusion of old and new, while passing by the Monument and Golden Bauhinia Square underscores the significance of hosting the 15th National Games as an important milestone for sports development since HK's return to the motherland. Ending the relay at Kai Tak Sports Park, HK's new sports landmark, symbolizes the start of a new chapter in the city's sports development."
Viewing points will be set up along the HK route, allowing the public to cheer for the torchbearers in person or watch the event via live television broadcasts.
Showcasing historical legacy, innovation, and GBA's charms
Notably, the four-city torch relay will introduce innovative methods, including the use of smart robots, autonomous vehicles, and low-altitude aircraft for certain relay sections. This will be an attempt to integrate technology and sports, offering a futuristic feel.
In Shenzhen, parts of the relay will be conducted via helicopter, flying over the city's mountains and coastline, circling the Qianhai region, and providing views of HK and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). In Guangzhou, the torch will be passed by autonomous vehicles through the city's historic districts, highlighting Guangzhou's strength in technological innovation and aligning with the theme of "old city, new vitality."
Each city's route has its own unique characteristics. Shenzhen's route will emphasize its identity as an "open city," connecting modern urban landmarks such as the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base and Qianhai International Convention Center, while also passing through popular food districts. Macao's route will start at the government headquarters of the Macao SAR and span 2.6 kilometers, passing landmarks such as the Ruins of Saint Paul's
On Nov. 2, the four-city relay will take place in the morning, followed by the flame fusion ceremony in the afternoon in Guangzhou, fully showcasing the convenience and excitement of the GBA's "one-hour living circle."
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalists: Li Zhishan, Ao Minhui; English Intern Editor: Zara; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
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