Guicheng taps youthful energy for digital development

Authorities in Guicheng subdistrict of Nanhai in Foshan, Guangdong province, have been holding esports competitions and introducing gaming industry investments in an effort to create a "city of esports "that appeals to young people.

For its latest move, the subdistrict launched an esports challenge event at the ancient Ancestral Hall of Family Liang in early August.

The Foshan Village Pro League marked its debut in 2023 as the first large-scale rural sports cooperation event initiated by local authorities. The event garnered attention from over 30 million online viewers and was recognized by the developer of Honor of Kings as an excellent annual esports event.

"We hope that each team will showcase their style and skill, leaving more glorious moments of youth during the competition," said Xie Zhanming, deputy secretary of the Guicheng subdistrict Party working committee.

This year's event has attracted over 100 teams with nearly 1,000 young esports players, according to the organizers. The competition's influence extends across the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with the average age of the participating players being around 28 years old.

"The event aims to make esports a prominent IP in Guicheng's culture and sports industry," said Xie, who looks forward to more projects, events and talent gathering in Guicheng to boost the development of its esports and digital economy.

This year's Foshan Village PL event also launched an esports-themed study tour route, covering major culture and tourism areas and showcasing Nanhai's multifaceted charm.

Nanhai district introduced rules for promoting the development of the esports industry at the end of 2020 as a guide for event hosting, esports industrial park development, venue construction, esports club operation and talent cultivation in the esports sector.

Against this backdrop, Guicheng has leveraged the esports plus industry as a breakthrough point to cultivate the city's youthful vitality and build a vibrant and thriving city.

In response to the national strategy to nurture and expand the digital consumption sector, Guicheng will continue to enrich its esports ecosystem by attracting top companies and related investment in the esports field, according to Xie.

So far, over 20 esports enterprises and associations have settled in Guicheng, with the first batch of esports-themed hotels already beginning operations in the subdistrict.

Additionally, Guicheng is accelerating construction on the first fullchain industrial community themed around esports in South China. Part of that project is a 1,000-seat esports stadium.

"We hope that Guicheng's esports industry will grow steadily, moving from local areas to a higher and stronger international platform by attracting more esports projects, events and talent," said Xie.

QIU QUANLIN in Guangzhou