The sixth Asian Beach Games opened on Wednesday in Sanya, drawing nearly 1,800 athletes from 45 countries and regions for a nine-day summer sports competition. China last hosted the event in Haiyang, Shandong province, in 2012.

The games feature 14 sports and 62 events, including beach volleyball, dragon boat, and teqball. China has fielded 171 athletes competing in 60 events across 13 sports.

Organizers have issued 65,000 subsidized tickets and set up beach-themed displays along Sanya Bay. Travelers from 86 countries are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free, which has helped athletes and technical officials save time on travel and focus on competition.

The opening ceremony was held at the Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area, an iconic landmark featured in Chinese currency. The setting matches the relaxed atmosphere of the event, which is conducive to cross-cultural exchange. Wu Qiang, associate dean of the School of Sports at Hainan University, highlighted spectators watching barefoot, saying that the low-barrier format of beach sports "invites public participation, helping integrate sports into daily life".

He pointed out that the "more natural, more joyful, and more accessible" Asian Beach Games provide space for Indigenous sports, such as dragon boat and kabaddi, to move from being seen to being recognized.

Visiting teams have also expressed appreciation for the easy-going vibe. "Sanya is a nice city, and people here are friendly and helpful," said Sidali, assistant coach of Qatar's national beach handball team. "We're here to compete against good teams, but our goal is always to win the gold medals."

As spectators settle in for the thrilling competition, organizers are taking stock of the opportunities afforded by the event. "The Asian Beach Games will serve as an important platform for Asian youth to compete and build friendships, injecting new energy into Asian sports development," said Song Luzeng, vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia and chairman of the OCA Sports Committee.