12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities to begin in Sanya

The 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of the People's Republic of China will begin in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, on Friday night and the opening ceremony will deliver unique excellency.

The Games will take place from November 22 to 30, with approximately 10,000 athletes representing China's 56 ethnic groups gathering on the tropical island to compete in 139 events under 17 sports in addition to three demonstration sports. The program was first launched in 1953, and is one of China's oldest national multi-sport Games.

Sha Xiaolan, chief director of the opening ceremony, told China media Gorup (CMG) that the ceremony will be about two hours long in three parts. Each ethnic minority delegation will put on a 30-second performance as one of the major highlights.

Various local features of Hainan, including the host province's beaches, islands, and coconut forests will be displayed in unique designs through the application of both creative ideas and digital technology.

"It's a signature of ethnic minorities," Sha said. "As all of their delegations will have 30-second performances at the opening ceremony when they enter the stadium, and although it's short, everybody has been trying their best to make it a great highlight. Some of the special effects feature the numbers 56, for China's 56 ethnic groups, and 12, for the 12th edition of the Games. The opening ceremony will deliver unique excellence, and it will be worth your time."