China to promote competitive sports industry

The State Council released a circular to speed up development of the competitive sports industry, in an effort to tap consumption potential, improve livelihoods, and build a new driver for economic growth.

According to the circular, by 2025, the scale of the competitive sports industry will reach 2 trillion yuan, and an industrial system with abundant products, reasonable structure, and balanced development should be established.

A number of cities and clusters will be built for sporting events and performances, and 100 influential sports events will be organized.

Meanwhile, a group of competitive sports enterprises will be supported, with 100 brands built with independent intellectual property rights, making the industry an important force for social and economic development.

As the circular stated, the nation will develop professional sports, with particular emphasis on football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and ice hockey. Irrational investments and disorderly competition should be curbed.

Top international competitions with popular brand recognition and a wide market potential will be introduced, and amateur sports events such as marathons, martial arts, and outdoor sports will be supported.

As the Beijing Winter Olympics approach, ice and snow sports will also be promoted, the circular said.

To optimize the market environment, efforts are also pledged to reform the commercial system, cultivate independent and legitimate industrial organizations, encourage consumption in sports events with better fan etiquette, and promote scientific planning and operation of sports venues.

Tourism, traffic, entertainment and other support services are also stressed in the circular.