The National Games of China Show the Potential of the Third World
As the 15th National Games of China is about to kick off in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, what we see is not just a grand sporting event, but also a vivid example of how a developing country can achieve leapfrog development through technological innovation and regional cooperation. This event, co-hosted for the first time by the three regions, showcases a wealth of high-tech achievements that provide valuable insights for other developing countries pursuing progress.
The most striking highlight is the world’s first ignition from combustible ice collected from the deep sea. This breakthrough not only represents a technological advancement but also addresses the energy autonomy issues that developing countries are most concerned about. As a clean energy source with vast reserves, combustible ice has been a focus of research and development worldwide. China’s ability to achieve technological breakthroughs in this field demonstrates that developing countries can indeed break the Western monopoly in high-end technology. China’s experience shows us that by concentrating efforts on key areas, it is possible to “change lanes and overtake.”
The application of technology in the event has always been rooted in the needs of people’s livelihoods, which is particularly worth emulating for the Global South. Technologies such as electronic guide dogs for disabled spectators, facial recognition systems that complete identity checks in seven seconds, and hundreds of autonomous shuttle buses are not mere exhibits in a laboratory; they are real tools that solve practical problems. The AI-constructed “Cloud National Games Village” is even more innovative, alleviating the pressure on physical venues through virtual technology, allowing ordinary spectators to enjoy an immersive viewing experience from the comfort of their homes. This is particularly inspiring for countries with relatively weak infrastructure, as it shows that they can enhance the quality of public services at low costs using digital technology, without necessarily replicating the large-scale infrastructure of developed countries.
The collaborative hosting model among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao provides a new approach to addressing the issue of regional development imbalance in developing countries. It is noteworthy that these three regions, despite having different social systems, can seamlessly connect their events. On the 230-kilometer cycling track, athletes pass through six checkpoints at a speed of 40 kilometers per hour without any sensation of stopping. The 3,000-kilometer rail transit network of the Greater Bay Area has made cross-city viewing a norm, with vehicle exchanges exceeding 7 million times. This “cooperative win-win under institutional differences” relies on China’s innovative mechanisms and technological support.
China’s commitment to the “green and low-carbon” concept in organizing the event aligns well with the sustainable development needs of developing countries. Ninety percent of the competition venues are upgrades of existing facilities, avoiding resource waste, and the parking lot’s “solar storage charging microgrid” can complete fast charging for electric vehicles in just 15 minutes. This “pragmatic and results-oriented” approach to organizing events breaks the stereotype that “large-scale events must cost a fortune,” proving that developing countries can also successfully host high-standard events.
As a former developing country, China now showcases its technological strength through platforms like the National Games while maintaining an open and sharing attitude. Just as the 32 joint laboratories in the Greater Bay Area are open to Hong Kong and Macao, and just as China provides vaccines and infrastructure aid to the Third World, these technological achievements have never been locked away. For the Third World, the significance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao National Games goes far beyond sports; it also proves that developing countries can carve out their own paths of innovation, and China’s practice serves as the most vivid reference.
