In recent years, political tensions between Hong Kong and mainland China have been rising. Central Occupation Movement for 2019 Social anxiety And then National Security ActRelations between our two countries have faced significant challenges, but sport remains an important forum for strengthening ties amid these tensions.
The bridge-bridging power of sport is nothing new in relations between Hong Kong and mainland China: for decades, sporting competitions have fostered cross-border connections, generating shared experiences and mutual respect.
The Chinese women’s volleyball team, who won the 1984, 2004 and 2016 Olympic Games, have long held a special place in the hearts of Hong Kong fans. Hui Ruoki and Zhu Ting Feel like a celebrity on the street. visit Performances by mainland Chinese Olympic medallists also drew enthusiastic audiences and inspired younger athletes.
The connection in this sport is not one-sided. Table tennis stars Lee Chin A native of Guangdong Province, Ko Lai-ze played for the Hong Kong national team and was also involved in coaching local players. Dou HoychemLee Ho-Ching and Minnie Sue Wiram, Won the bronze medal Hong Kong’s elite athletes, including an Olympic gold medal-winning fencer, will be in action at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Zhang Kar-Longand has trained with coaches and leading sports institutions in mainland China.
Hong Kong also contributed to the 2008 Beijing Olympics by hosting equestrian events.
The roots of these cross-border sports exchanges go back decades. Even before Hong Kong’s handover in 1997, exchanges had taken place, mainly with Guangdong Province. For example, the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, a football tournament that began in 1979, was the brainchild of the late Hong Kong businessman Henry Fok Ying-tung. This annual event is 42nd eventIt serves as a lasting symbol of goodwill to the sport.
Since 1997, these exchanges have expanded significantly: visits by Olympic champions, exchanges of coaches and joint training programs have become commonplace. Hong Kong Eastern The basketball team is eyeing the opportunity to take part in tournaments in mainland China. polish Their skills. These interactions bring excitement and a sense of unity to Hong Kong.
Moreover, individual athletes are beginning to bridge the gap in unprecedented ways. Dai Wai-tung, a Hong Kong footballer who became a Chinese citizen after years in the English and Chinese football leagues, Become He is the first Hong Kong-born player to represent China’s national team in recent years, embodying the potential of sport to transcend political boundaries.
Sports cooperation efforts go beyond informal exchanges and individual athletes. Hong Kong Institute of Sports Hong Kong signed memorandums of understanding with five prestigious training and research institutions in mainland China. As officials noted at the time, the formal partnerships would “allow both sides to complement each other and share resources,” ultimately improving the ability of both Hong Kong and mainland Chinese athletes to excel on the international stage.
These exchanges demonstrate that sports continues to play a relatively uncontroversial role in connecting Hong Kong and mainland China, fostering mutual understanding and shared pride even at a time of political tension.
Next year’s national championships Co-organizer It is hosted by cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. 8 Events This marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the organization has participated as a co-host in this multi-sport event.
The Hong Kong flag is raised during the closing ceremony of the National Games in Xi’an on September 27, 2021. The 2025 National Games will be held in Guangdong province along with Hong Kong and Macau. Photo: Xinhua
In addition to strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland China, the joint hosting of the national games will: Boost potential The development of Hong Kong’s sports infrastructure will benefit local athletes and the community for years to come.
The event also provides a unique platform for people-to-people exchanges, allowing athletes, officials and spectators from all over China to interact and deepen understanding in a positive, non-political environment. By focusing on the common ground of sport rather than political divides, it will bring Hong Kong people and mainland Chinese people closer together.
A thunderous chorus sunset The match at Hung Hom Coliseum demonstrated Hong Kongers’ enduring pride in their unique identity and underscored their appreciation for China’s sporting ambitions and prowess on the international stage. At a time of persistent cross-border tensions, sport can transcend contentious rhetoric and light the way to a more constructive shared future.
Chuwen Li is a Washington-based scholar specializing in Chinese political economy and has written extensively about China’s people-to-people exchanges with the rest of the world.
Wei Gong is a Hong Kong-based analyst and graduate student at the University of Hong Kong with a keen interest in cross-border relations.
