On the afternoon of July 8, the organizing committees of the 15th National Games (the 15th NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (the NGD & NSOG) held a press conference at the Guangdong Hotel, providing a comprehensive introduction to the phased achievements and plans for the joint hosting of the events by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
Liaison mechanism
At the press conference, Huang Mingzhong, Director of the Office of the Organizing Committee of the 15th NG and Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of Guangdong Province, stated that the three regions had reached consensus in six key areas, including cross-border events, port clearance, and food safety. For instance, the Hengqin Port will enable 24-hour customs clearance, allowing athletes to compete in three regions within half a day and experience seamless customs clearance at a speed of 40 km/h, witnessing the efficient collaboration of the high-speed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Taking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Road Cycling Race as an example, this event will be held on November 8, the day before the opening ceremony. The 230-kilometer race route connects landmarks across Zhuhai, Macao, and Hong Kong. Cyclists will depart from Zhuhai, traverse the Macao Bridge and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and return to Zhuhai. The entire route features both natural scenery and urban landscapes, showcasing the dual breakthroughs of soft and hard connectivity in the GBA.
Spectator tips
At the press conference, Zhang Zhihua, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Coordinating Department of the 15th NG and the NGD & NSOG, announced that a dedicated channel has been set up at ports for participating delegations.
Zhang noted that over 6,000 athletes from the Chinese mainland are expected to compete in Hong Kong and Macao, while more than 3,000 athletes from Hong Kong and Macao will compete on the Chinese mainland, marking the largest cross-border participation for these events. For ticket holders, a green channel has been established to facilitate nationwide processing of exit-entry permits and expedited services with event tickets, ensuring free travel with just one permit and a one-hour radius within the GBA.
Notably, a document-free channel at the Hengqin Port is expected to enable direct facial recognition for customs clearance in the future.
Hong Kong & Macao competition zone
Yeung Tak-keung, Head of the National Games Coordination Office in Hong Kong, introduced that Hong Kong strictly adheres to the principle of frugal hosting by utilizing existing venues instead of constructing new ones. From late November last year to early June this year, Hong Kong completed test competitions for eight hosting events and two co-hosted cross-border events.
To practice the concept of green hosting, Hong Kong utilizes existing venues such as Central Harbourfront Event Space, Victoria Park, and the Hong Kong Velodrome, which will remain open to the public after the events. Hong Kong also leverages its unique features; for example, the Central Harbourfront Circuit offers cyclists stunning views of Victoria Harbour, enhancing the event's appeal.
Kai Tak Sports Park, as the main venue, has become a new landmark in Hong Kong and will host multiple events. Two cross-border events, the Zhuhai Road Cycling Race and the Shenzhen Athletics Marathon, have completed their test events.
Pun Veng Kun, head of the local preparatory office for the Macao Competition Zone of the 15th NG and the NGD & NSOG, announced that Macao will host five events, including table tennis, three-on-three basketball, under-18 men's five-on-five basketball, women's adult volleyball, and karate, as well as two badminton events for the NGD & NSOG. Additionally, Macao will co-host the men's individual road cycling race, which is the only event spanning all three regions.
To ensure smooth operations, Macao conducted operational tests for five events from May to June, simulating formal procedures for customs clearance, personnel reception, and emergency response drills to enhance coordination. Furthermore, over 5,000 volunteers have been mobilized for roles in reception, guidance, ticketing, media, timing, and scoring systems, with support from domestic expert teams.
Reporter & Photo: Li Qiaoxin
Editor: Liao Ying (intern), Liu Lingzhi, Wei Shen, James, Shen He
