The opening ceremony of the 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, is approaching. As its chief producer, Wang Ruixiang is overseeing everything from dealing with typhoon disruptions and integrating new technology into old venues, to harmonizing cultural differences across three regions. His team has turned many "impossibilities" into reality.
He described the opening ceremony as a "major breakthrough," highlighting the use of domestically developed audio-visual technologies. He emphasized that these innovations were a far cry from a mere display of the GBA's tech prowess. Instead, they aimed to "fully present Lingnan, Hong Kong, Macao, and Chinese culture through a 'Technology + Sports + Art' framework."
Pushing Boundaries for an Immersive Future
Wang, who started his career in audio equipment, first saw his team's sound systems used at the 2001 National Games in Guangzhou. For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, his team pioneered a linear array speaker system for the Bird's Nest, solving acoustic challenges for 100,000 spectators and propelling a domestic brand onto the world stage.
Now, facing an 80,000-seat open-air stadium, the team has developed an advanced surround sound solution. For lighting, they've created an integrated "laser + lighting" scheme with visual technologies to build dynamic lightscapes, aiming to bring the audiovisual experience to new heights.
Weaving Lingnan's Water Culture into a Vivid Canvas
The warmth of the technology ultimately stems from culture. Wang recalls Chief Director Lang Kun's proposal to "create a sea" on site. "Using technical means, we transform the waters of GBA into a stage element, saving costs while highlighting the liveliness and romance of the river-town landscape," Wang says. He believes integrating water with audiovisual technology will make "the entire scene a painting," showcasing Lingnan's beauty.
Furthermore, elements like Cantonese opera, kung fu, Cantonese songs, and popular Canto-pop will be expressed using new technologies, aiming to create a strong audiovisual and emotional connection with the audience.
Powered by Domestic Tech, Forged by Collaborative Innovation
China's performance equipment industry has leapt from catching up to leading. Wang has witnessed this journey firsthand: from less than 10% domestic equipment at the 1990 Asian Games, to nearly 50% at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, to now—100% domestic sourcing for this opening ceremony, with solutions that "far surpass" their European and American counterparts.
A diverse creative team, including Chief Director Lang Kun, Artistic Director Chen Weiya, and Producer Andrew Lau (from HK), provides the expertise to realize this vision. To achieve a streamlined yet spectacular event, the team innovated with a "ceremony-performance integration" format, ensuring tight, natural transitions between segments.
Faced with the challenge of coordinating Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the team revised the initial plan of a "joint three-region cauldron lighting" to the more practical "joint flag-raising and national anthem ceremony." A dedicated team was formed to coordinate the ceremonial procedures, perfectly showcasing the unity of the three regions.
This grand ceremony, bearing the vision of regional integration, thus becomes a concentrated display of China's technological strength, cultural confidence, and collaborative innovation—more than just a prelude to a sports event, but a vivid chapter in the story of the GBA's integrated development.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; English Intern Editor: Wynnea Tian; English Editor: Kiki)
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