While the coastal city of Qingdao is well known to beer drinkers, it's also home to a popular recreational activity. Families, water sports fans, and many others flock to Qingdao for its sailing. CGTN's Sun Tianyuan takes us there and shows us how the sport has helped Qingdao open its gates to business opportunities and cultural exchanges over the years.

By air, by land and especially by sea, Qingdao brings China to the world, and vice-versa. Nationally known for its beer, Qingdao is also home to many water sports, particularly sailing.

ZHANG MIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR QINGDAO OLYMPIC SALING CENTER "Sailing has enjoyed great benefits here. 40 years of reform and opening up have served as a major catalyst in developing the sport."

But it wasn't until the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing that sailing really took off in Qingdao. From there, the renaissance was on.

ZHANG MIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR QINGDAO OLYMPIC SALING CENTER "We've attracted many sailing enthusiasts, athletes, and schools from all over the world, who, in turn, have grown closer to Qingdao."

Of the 150-plus annual sailing events in the Chinese mainland, Qingdao accounts for almost a fifth, and nearly half of those are international. As the citywide sailing movement goes on, the sport has also brought more business opportunities. John Hearne opened a sail factory here with his partner ten years ago. When asked about his thoughts on Qingdao's opening-up, the Australian sailor said:

JOHN HEARNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR DOYLE SAILMAKERS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD "I think it's all very good. I think all cities should adopt programs like that, where they open them up, you got to have some foreign investment come in here."

Like many Australians, Hearne got into the sport at an early age. He had his first optimist, a beginner's boat, at 7 years old. However, sailing is less familiar to most Chinese like Bob Sun.

BOB SUN, SENIOR ENGINEER DOYLE SAILMAKERS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD "I had never seen a sail until I took this job ten years ago. Then my bosses signed me up for a sailing class, sort of helping me get a better understanding of the products we make here. That's when I realized how much I enjoy the sport."

Opening-up has given the 29-year-old an opportunity to sail the ocean blue and see the world.

BOB SUN, SENIOR ENGINEER DOYLE SAILMAKERS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD "Thanks to the Qingdao government for boosting the city's sailing development, my dream as a voyager has come to fruition. I'd like to make more fine products for the company to show my support for this sport."

JOHN HEARNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR DOYLE SAILMAKERS (QINGDAO) CO., LTD "We're only a tiny business compared to some of the Chinese companies here. But it's given us an opportunity to grow our business."

And for the city itself.

ZHANG MIN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR QINGDAO OLYMPIC SALING CENTER "Sailing has created a platform for the world to know more about Qingdao, allowing the city to go beyond the borders and exchange its culture and traditions with the world."

SUN TIANYUAN QINGDAO "Over the years, the sailing city has traveled thousands of miles on course for connecting the world. And its voyage continues, riding the mighty wind of China's opening-up policy - full speed ahead. Sun Tianyuan, CGTN, Qingdao, Shandong province."