China has focused on physical education not only to promote healthy lifestyles among its people but also develop its sports industry to an international level.

With the nation further opening up, the Yangtze River Delta area has launched an "integration plan strategy" with "three provinces and a city" – Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui Provinces and Shanghai.

Regional integration is not a new concept. But the region is introducing the concept to the sports industry.

The idea is that the sports market and sports-related enterprises will experience stronger growth when resources are integrated within a larger economic region.

Hengdian in Zhejiang Province is known as China's Hollywood. Not only is it a backdrop for movies, but it has hosted a very popular sports event, the Hengdian Marathon, since 2015.

Competitors could pass through the major scenic spots of Hengdian World Studios and experience the region's cultural and historical atmosphere during the race, after which a carnival known as the "Night of the Hengdian Marathon "is put on.

This year, more than 25,000 runners competed with a special cartoon character "Nameless Hero" participating.

Experts said the race has great potential and will be one of the area's pillar events for tourism. They also noted that it promotes the sports industry integration plan among the region.

Professor Lin Boqiang, dean of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, said the strategy combined the advantages of each province and provides lots of opportunities for sports investors.

"Shanghai has a lot of major events which support China’s sports industry. Zhejiang has manufacturing and high-end enterprises for equipment. Jiangsu has huge population enthusiasm in sports," he said.

"Population is a big force for China’s sports, and Anhui has good sport tourism resources. Put them together, it will succeed."

Lin also said the income in the region is higher than average.

CCG's non-resident fellow Andy Mok said consumers in the coverage area are willing to adopt new activities whether a marathon or other kinds of physical activities.

"The integration plan absolutely is a very solid approach to building a sports ecosystem," Mok said, "so I think by bringing a structured approach to taping resources including transportation infrastructure… it is vital to building a sports ecosystem."