China sends largest-ever delegation to 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya

China officially announced a 255-member delegation on Wednesday, including 171 athletes, for the 6th edition of the Asian Beach Games. The contingent slated to compete in Sanya, Hainan Province, marks the host nation's highest participation rate in the history of the event.

The Chinese delegation will take part in 13 sports across 60 events, with the sole exception of beach kabaddi. The Games are scheduled to run from April 22 to 30.

At a pep rally to see off the delegation, Li Jing, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, urged the country's athletes to strictly uphold the bottom lines of "zero doping violations" and "zero disputes over competition conduct and discipline".

All 45 National Olympic Committees under the Olympic Council of Asia have confirmed their attendance, with approximately 1,800 athletes set to compete. This establishes a new record for participation scale at the Asian Beach Games.

The Sanya edition will feature 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events, with the stated aim of promoting tourism and international exchanges. This marks the second time for China to host the Asian Beach Games, following the 2012 edition in Haiyang, Shandong Province.

This year's Games will also serve as the first major international sporting event in the host province since the Hainan Free Trade Port launched island-wide special customs operations last December.