GUANGZHOU, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) – Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the 15th National Games open Sunday evening at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center, marking the first time the country’s premier multi-sport event has been jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

The opening ceremony, attended by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and IOC Honorary President Thomas Bach, blended official proceedings with cultural performances, showcasing the vitality of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of China’s most open and economically dynamic regions.

“The ceremony was an amazing blend of culture, technology and sport,” Coventry said.

At 8 p.m., the ceremony unfolded on a circular main stage surrounded by a ring of water.

“These three regions are closely connected to water - the sea and sky blend as one. From the ceremonies to the performances, we highlighted water to give the opening ceremony a lively, fluid energy,” Chen Weiya, artistic director of the opening ceremony, explained.

A standout moment of the parade was the joint entry of the host delegations from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, followed by a simultaneous flag-raising ceremony across the three locations.

Themed “Shared Roots, Shared Heart, Shared Dream,” the performances combined the heritage and modern spirit of the Greater Bay Area through music, dance and digital technology.

Iconic landmarks such as Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, the Ruins of St. Paul’s in Macao and Guangzhou’s Canton Tower were brought to life through projections.

The first chapter, “Shared Roots,” traced historical ties among the three regions. Dancers performed alongside intelligent robots that beat “Goudiao,” a musical instrument similar to chime bells.

The second act highlighted Lingnan culture, from Cantonese Opera to Wing Chun. Augmented reality elements accompanied the Guangdong Lion Dance, and VR and AR technology presented a dragon boat race.

The final segment brought together performers from across the Greater Bay Area, including a special appearance by Hong Kong pop singer Andy Lau.

The Games’ torch relay emphasized collaboration and innovation. The flame originated from combustible ice collected 1,522 meters beneath the South China Sea.

The cauldron was lit jointly by the final torchbearers: Guangdong sprinter Su Bingtian, Hong Kong Olympic fencing champion Cheung Ka Long and Macao Asian Games wushu gold medalist Li Yi.

Running through November 21, the Games feature 419 gold medal events in 34 competition sports for elite athletes, while 166 gold medals will be on offer in 23 amateur competitions and exhibition events. Organizers said the expanded program aims to broaden participation.

“The National Games, with 25,000 athletes across so many age groups, are unique and create a great sense of unity. China is a real power house in international sport,” Coventry noted.

Organizers called the co-hosting a milestone in the event’s 66-year history and a testament to the vitality of the “one country, two systems” policy in sport.

A highlight of the National Games was the men’s road cycling race, which used the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge as a key part of its route. Technologies such as facial recognition and drones were used to manage security and clearances during the race.

The program will also feature a marathon across Shenzhen and Hong Kong.