The 15th National Games (referred to as the "15th Games") and the 12th National Para Games and 9th Special Olympics (referred to as the "Paralympic Games") will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau for the first time, and will open on November 9 and December 8, 2025, respectively. On the afternoon of November 9th, the one-year countdown ceremony for the 15th National Games and the Paralympic Games (Hong Kong Division) was held at the Hong Kong SAR Government Headquarters under the theme of "Meeting in the Bay Area to Welcome the All China Games". The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Carrie Lam, the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zheng Yanxiong, the Director of the Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yang Runxiong, the President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Huo Zhenting, and the President of the Hong Kong Paralympic Committee, Feng Majiexian, as well as representatives from the sports industry, attended the event ceremony. At the event venue (photo/Hong Kong SAR Government), the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, stated in his speech at the event ceremony that next year, Hong Kong will historically jointly host the 15th National Games and the Paralympic Games with Guangdong and Macau, and take on the responsibility of hosting the event. The construction of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area holds an important strategic position in the new national development pattern. The joint hosting of the 15th National Games and the Paralympic Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao can deepen exchanges and cooperation in sports, culture, economy, society, and other fields among the cities in the Greater Bay Area, jointly promote high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area, and have special significance for the three regions to jointly build a world-class bay area. Chief Executive Li Jiachao stated that Hong Kong will make full use of its existing sports facilities and the upcoming Kai Tak Sports Park, as well as its experience and ability in hosting large-scale sports events and grand events, to fully excel in the various events of the sports meet. Hong Kong, Guangdong, and Macao jointly organized a variety of exciting competition events. I believe this will bring everyone a simple, safe, and wonderful 15th National Games and Paralympic Games, "said Li Jiachao." Let's showcase Hong Kong's hospitality and the details of hosting large-scale events to the whole country and the world, showcasing a sports event with the characteristics of the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong. "The National Games, organized by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, is the highest level and largest comprehensive sports event in the country. It is reported that the 15th National Games to be held from November 9th to 21st, 2025 will have a total of 34 competition events, including all Olympic and martial arts events. Hong Kong will host 8 competition events and 1 mass event. The Paralympic Games held from December 8th to 15th will have a total of 46 competition events, of which Hong Kong will host 4 competition events and 1 public event. At the celebration, the Hong Kong Dance Company performed a vibrant sports dance to the guests, showcasing the 8 competitive events that Hong Kong will host at the 2025 15th National Games: basketball (men under 22), track cycling, fencing, golf, handball (men), rugby sevens, triathlon, and beach volleyball. Subsequently, the officiating guests and representatives of participating athletes jointly presided over the countdown display ceremony at the ceremony, celebrating the one-year countdown of the 15th National Games and Paralympic Games. Countdown ceremony (pictured/Xinhua News Agency) Dancers showcase handball (pictured/Xinhua News Agency) Yang Deqiang, Director of the National Games Coordination Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, told Xinhua News Agency reporters that this is the first time in history that Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao have jointly hosted the National Games, and it is of great significance. This reflects the central government's support and trust in Hong Kong, and has greatly helped promote the development of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. For example, cross-border events such as marathons held in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and road cycling races held in Zhuhai, Hong Kong, and Macau, can unite the governments and volunteers of the three regions and make communication and cooperation between people from multiple places more frequent. We are eagerly looking forward to further enhancing the development of the Greater Bay Area, especially in sports exchanges and cooperation, through the 15th National Games. "Yang Deqiang, Director of the National Games Coordination Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (photo/Xinhua News Agency), Hong Kong triathlon athlete representative Yu Chengqian, has been deeply involved in this project for nearly ten years. He shared," This year, I participated in competitions around the world, such as the Asian Cup and the World Cup, and saw that our Chinese athletes were very strong in the competitions, which made me very excited. "Yu Chengqian further expressed his hope to showcase his sports level and personal style at the 15th National Games and strive to achieve good results. Hong Kong triathlete representative Yu Chengqian (right) (photo/Xinhua News Agency) Hong Kong golfer representative Xu Longyi is the individual gold medalist of this event at the 2023 Asian Games and helped the Hong Kong team win a bronze medal in the team event. The 15th National Games will be an unforgettable event, "he told Xinhua News Agency reporters." This year's golf tournament will be held at the Hong Kong Golf Club, and it's really special to be able to compete in the place where I grew up. I look forward to achieving good results in front of all my family and friends. "Xu Longyi also shared his sports experience with citizens, saying that golf is a sport that requires a lot of patience, and truly enjoying and loving it is very important for athletes. Hong Kong golfer representative Xu Longyi (pictured/Xinhua News Agency) It is understood that the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong is the largest sports infrastructure in Hong Kong and will become the main competition venue for two sports events. Hong Kong hard roll athlete representative Ho Wan Ki said that this is her first time participating in the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong, and being able to compete at her doorstep makes her very happy. She briefly introduced to the reporter the characteristics of the hard ball project and her more than ten years of sports career in the project. Ho Wan Ki said, "I am very grateful to have encountered hard ball. Despite physical difficulties, I have found my dream and goal. I hope my story can encourage people with disabilities to bravely take the first step, find things they are interested in, and connect with society in a different way." Hong Kong hard ball athlete representative Ho Wan Ki (photo/Xinhua) also learned that on the evening of November 9th, the Guangdong division held a one-year countdown ceremony for both the 15th National Games and the Paralympic Games at the Haixinsha Asian Games Park in Guangzhou. The theme slogan, emblem, and mascot will be officially released on site. The theme slogan of the 15th National Games is "Passionate National Games, Vibrant Greater Bay Area", and the theme slogan of the Paralympic Games is "Chasing Dreams in the Greater Bay Area, Brilliant Life Path". (Xinhua News Agency) Article: Yi Chunyan, Chen Xinyan Picture: Yi Chunyan, Luo Tianyu (our international correspondent in Hong Kong), provided by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government