From the Pearl River Estuary to the Aegean Sea: Guangzhou’s Nansha Presents Itself to the World as a “City of Sport”

On the afternoon of November 3 (local time), the China–Greece Sports and Culture Exchange Week, themed “Sacred Flames Intertwine, Forge a Shared Future”, kicked off in Athens, Greece. The event forms part of the official series marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Greece.

Under the theme “Across Mountains and Seas, Forge a Shared Future”, the delegation from Guangzhou’s Nansha District delivered a presentation to introduce Nansha, a coastal new town in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to Greek representatives from various sectors. With sports culture and the marine economy as links, the delegation extended a sincere invitation for deeper exchanges and expanded cooperation. Members of the delegation from the Publicity Department of the CPC Nansha District Committee, the Nansha District Bureau of Commerce, the Nansha District Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, and other institutions held discussions with Greek counterparts on economic and trade cooperation, sports events, coastal tourism and marine industries.

Stretching from the Pearl River Estuary to the Aegean Sea, this cross-continental city-to-city dialogue originated from a shared passion for the ocean.

“Though thousands of miles apart, Athens in Greece and Nansha in Guangzhou share a similar affection for the ocean,” the head of the delegation said in the presentation, opening with the Port of Piraeus. This port serves as a vital maritime gateway linking the Athens metropolitan area to the rest of the world. In southern China, the Nansha Port Area of Guangzhou Port similarly connects with global markets through more than 180 international shipping routes.

Situated at the geometric center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Nansha is a national-level new area, the largest section of the China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone, as well as a demonstration zone for comprehensive cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. With its port hub and advantageous location, Nansha continues to strengthen its connections with the world.

During the visit to Greece, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, sports became a key way for the Nansha delegation to showcase the district’s urban vitality to the world.

In recent years, Nansha has continued to host international professional tennis tournaments, including WTA, ATP and ITF events. Sailing, canoeing, football, basketball and other sports have flourished across the district.

At the opening ceremony of the exchange week, guests from China and Greece shared insights on topics such as sports exchanges and urban development, as well as cultural resonance. A round-table dialogue titled “Prospects for China–Greece Water Sports Cooperation” was also held, focusing on joint youth development and linkages between sports events and related industries, among other topics, and providing a platform for further sports exchanges between the two countries.

Beyond sports and cultural exchanges, the marine economy and economic and trade cooperation were also priorities for Nansha’s visit to Greece.

From sports and cultural exchanges to the promotion of coastal economic cooperation, Nansha’s visit to Greece built ties through sports and the sea. It showcased the district’s dynamic development to Greek representatives from various sectors and extended invitations for cooperation in coastal commerce, international trade, and the cruise and yachting industries.