On May 8, the orienteering event of the 15th National Games for the masses kicked off in Guangdong's Maoming. Simultaneously, the press conference on the themed event "Exploring Guangdong to Embrace Rural Charm and Foreign Friends Sharing Stories on Passionate National Games and Charming Maoming" was held.
Invited by GDToday, guests from home and abroad gathered, exchanging views on the grand occasion of the National Games and the local charm of Maoming.
Alysa Kees, an American vlogger, spoke fondly of her connection to Guangdong. "I grew up in Guangzhou from childhood to adulthood. In summer, I would go picking lychees with my parents. I still remember clearly the feeling of having my hands covered in juice," she reminisced.
Visiting Maoming for the National Games, Alysa was struck by the unique experience it offered. "This is actually the first time I've participated in an event like this because it's not just a sports event. It integrates the local agricultural culture. For us international friends, this kind of immersive experience is definitely more impactful than photos and words. It can help us gain a better understanding of rural China," she explained.
Leung Ho Man, a writer for Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po Daily and a native of Maoming through his father, expressed his pride in seeing his hometown host such a significant event. "It's extremely exciting and fulfilling for me to see my hometown host a national-level grand event, especially since this National Games is jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao," he shared.
Leung also saw great potential for cooperation between Maoming and Hong Kong in the wake of rapid technological advancements. "I believe it's a crucial opportunity and timing for cooperation between the two places. For example, we can promote our local specialties through Hong Kong's e-commerce platforms. Moreover, through online platforms, we can share the local unique cultures, such as our culture of Madam Xian and our lychee culture," he elaborated.
Chen Lirong, a new farmer in Maoming, brought a fresh perspective to the event. She has carved out a unique niche for herself by leveraging the power of the internet to promote Maoming's bountiful fruits in English, particularly the world-renowned lychees.
Looking ahead to the National Games, Chen has big plans. "For this National Games event, I plan to continue my down-to-earth language style as before. I'll go deep into the event venue, commentating in English and recording wonderful moments. I'll showcase the unique charm of Maoming's combination of sports and agriculture to the world," she declared with enthusiasm.
Fresh lychees, lychee ice creams, and other tasting activities were also prepared at the event venue, leaving Chinese and foreign friends in raptures of admiration.
Reporter | Chen Jinxia
Video | Ou Nanying, Guo Hongda
Photo | Ou Nanying
Editor | Hu Nan, James, Shen He
