The sixth Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 opened on Wednesday evening at Yasha Park in Sanya, Hainan province, with athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions participating in the opening ceremony, which used the beach, sea and sky as its stage.

Directed by Artistic Director Chen Weiya and Chief Directors Zhang Dongxin and Huang Peiling, the ceremony provided the audience with an immersive experience through the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, circular screens and floor projections.

The ceremony, titled A Date with the Sea and the Sky, consisted of three chapters: Passion of the Sea and Sky, Dreams Beneath the Deep Blue and Connecting the World. Athletes entered the venue by walking across the sand as if treading on waves.

The mascot Ya Ya, based on the Hainan Eld's deer, moved through the crowd and interacted with performers and the audience. The theme song, See ya in Sanya, was performed by 20 volunteers rather than celebrity performers.

The open stage reduced the distance between the audience and performers. In the chapter Dreams Beneath the Deep Blue, a variety of luminous marine creatures floated in the air, and the audience could even touch and interact with them, showcasing the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

The Games are being held until April 30, featuring 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 63 events, covering beach volleyball, beach soccer, open water swimming, 3x3 basketball, beach kabaddi and others. Some events are part of the Olympics and Asian Games. Others, such as teqball and beach kabaddi, are newer sports.

China sent about 190 athletes. They are competing in all events except beach kabaddi. The team is using several events, including beach volleyball, sport climbing, 3x3 basketball, open water swimming and sailing, as preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Eight competition venues and a training venue are hosting the Games: beach volleyball, sport climbing and beach handball take place at the Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster; beach soccer, beach wrestling, jujitsu and teqball are being held at the Sanya Bay Yuhai Club Venue Cluster; and dragon boat races take place on the Sanya River.

Other venues, such as the Sanya Bay Haihong Square, Sanya Bay Photography Base, Sanya Bay Haiyue Square Venue Cluster, Phoenix Island, Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium, and Sanya Sports Centre Natatorium are located within a 30-minute transport radius of the athletes' village and official hotels.

The athletes' village is situated at the Mangrove Tree Resort World on Sanya Bay. Covering 150,000 square meters, it provides over 2,000 rooms and more than 3,600 beds. Functional zones include residential, international and public areas, offering services such as medical care, dining, transport and training support.

Dining facilities accommodate diverse dietary needs, with multiple cuisines and dedicated halal and vegetarian sections. Food safety measures include traceable sourcing of ingredients and multilingual labeling. Additional services range from cultural experience zones showcasing local intangible heritage to multilingual volunteer support and free mobile internet access.

Transport within the village operates through a dual system of internal shuttle services and external connections to venues, ensuring efficient mobility for athletes and officials. Dedicated bus routes link the village to competition and training sites, while separate traffic flows for vehicles and pedestrians enhance safety.

Organizers have also integrated sports with tourism and consumption. Ticketed events have been announced to the public, alongside promotional programs linking competitions with local attractions, hotels and retail sectors. More than 200 licensed merchandise items have been introduced, and partnerships with businesses across Hainan aim to extend the Games' economic effect.

Sustainability measures are integrated into every aspect of the event. A total of 970 new energy vehicles are being used for transport services, and digital systems have replaced paper-based operations in ticketing and administration. The organizing committee adheres to the principle of renovation and temporary structures, avoiding large-scale demolition. Buildings received upgrades for lighting, water supply, drainage and power. Each venue underwent final inspections, functional tests and pressure tests before being used.

After the Games, the venues will continue to serve the local community. The Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium will continue to host competitions and public fitness activities, and the Tianya Haijiao Venue Cluster will keep its climbing walls and beach volleyball courts for citizens and tourists. Some venues at Sanya Bay will return to public beach space. Temporary structures will be taken apart and reused for community sports facilities, according to the organizers.

A total of 4,680 volunteers are involved in the operations of the Games, contributing to services across every aspect of the event. Their participation reflects a broader effort to involve local communities and promote public engagement in sports.

Beyond the competition framework, the Games are positioned as a platform for broader urban and economic development. As the first major international sporting event held after the Hainan Free Trade Port implemented its island-wide special customs operations, the Games demonstrate increased openness in travel and logistics.

Hainan FTP's visa-free access has been expanded to 86 countries, and streamlined customs procedures have been implemented for sports equipment and event materials during the Games.

fanzitong@chinadaily.com.cn