On November 9th, the one-year countdown to the 15th National Game starts. Having hosted the 6th National Games in 1987, the 9th National Games in 2001, and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Guangzhou will undertake 39% of the events for the 15th National Games and 33% of the events for the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games, as well as two opening ceremonies, making it the city with the most events in the upcoming games.

The mascots for the 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games were named "Xiyangyang" and "Lerongrong." 

The hosting of these major sports events has further refined the spatial layout of urban development in Guangzhou and improved the city's environmental landscape while enhancing its overall image and quality.

Tianhe Sports Center shortly after its completion in the 1980s. 

Looking back at history, the 6th National Games spurred the construction of the Tianhe Sports Center, marking the beginning of Guangzhou's "eastern expansion"; While the 9th National Games promoted the development of eastern Tianhe District and Baiyun New Town, leading to the establishment of the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center and the Guangzhou Gymnasium; Furthermore, the Asian Games brought landmarks such as the Canton Tower and Haixinsha Asian Games Park into the spotlight.

The current night view of the Tianhe Sports Center along with Guangzhou's New Central Axis. 

Urban infrastructure developments such as the construction of sports venues and the improvement of city roads have attracted billions in investments, becoming a crucial engine for economic growth. Additionally, these sports events have directly spurred the development of Guangzhou's sports industry and consumer spending, raising the city's popularity and visibility both domestically and internationally. This has provided Guangzhou with an excellent platform to showcase its city image and enhance its overall status.

The skyline of Zhujiang New Town in Guangzhou flourishes like mushrooms after rain.

The hosting of the 6th National Games in 1987 and the 9th National Games in 2001 brought Guangzhou into the national spotlight. With the support of media coverage, the city became increasingly well-known across the country, attracting more people to move to the southeast.

Opening ceremony of the 6th National Games. (Historical image)

In 2010, the Flower City Guangzhou, the second city in China to host the Asian Games, stood at the center of the international stage. With the Asian Games serving as a new starting point, it further enhanced its popularity both domestically and internationally, solidifying its image as open and inclusive while ushering in a new wave of international engagement.

The 15th National Games and the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 9th National Special Olympic Games, co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, represent a collaborative showcase of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities to the world. They also present a significant opportunity for the cities in the GBA, including Guangzhou, to experience substantial growth. This event serves as a major strategic initiative to promote the new phase of GBA development, and will undoubtedly facilitate the flow of resources, regulatory alignment, and institutional connectivity among the three regions. It will also open new channels and inject fresh momentum into the construction of the GBA. As one of the core engines of the GBA, Guangzhou is poised to benefit significantly from this development.

The theme slogan for the 15th National Games is "Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area," and for the National Special Olympic Games, it is "Chasing Dreams in the GBA, a Colorful Journey to Success."