Outdoor, winter activities fuel China's sports economy

Outdoor sports, as a healthy lifestyle, are growing in popularity and have become an important way to enrich people's lives. The Outdoor Sports and Winter Sports Economy Development Forum, held during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), focused on topics such as the sustainable development of the winter sports economy in the post-Olympic era and the synergy between outdoor sports and urban renewal. The forum brought together government leaders, academic experts, and business representatives to discuss paths for the high-quality development of the sports industry. 

Wang Ping, deputy director of the Sports Equipment and Facilities Center, General Administration of Sport of China, pointed out that the Opinions on Unleashing the Potential of Sports Consumption to Further Promote the High-Quality Development of the Sports Industry, issued by the General Office of the State Council, set a clear goal of expanding the domestic sports industry to a scale of over 7 trillion yuan by 2030. The development of outdoor sports is injecting fresh and robust growth momentum and vitality into the sports industry, which boosts consumption in food, accommodation, transportation, tourism, shopping and entertainment, thereby making important contributions to the national economy.

Shi Fenghua, member of the CPC Leadership Group and deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, cited Beijing's practices in sustainable sports development as a "Dual Olympic City," highlighting the year-round operations of winter sports tourism areas like the Haituo Mountain in Yangqing District and the Shougang Park in Shijingshan District. She stated that international events held in Beijing over recent years, such as the FIS Alpine Skiing Far East Cup and the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, have not only enhanced the city's international influence but also stimulated consumption in related industries like transportation, culture, and tourism. Looking ahead, Beijing will further harness digital technology to make winter sports accessible to all people, across all settings, and throughout all seasons.

Feng Baozhong, director of the China Triathlon Sports Association, proposed a "breaking boundaries and accumulating momentum" strategy. It aims to build a three-tier event structure, with international events setting the direction, professional contests ensuring a high-level foundation, and public activities broadening the reach, thus weaving together a complete industry chain for training, equipment, and tourism. Feng added that with the LA 28 organizers announcing that the first gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be awarded for triathlon, the sport's inherent fitness, ecological, and economic value is being unleashed. This recognition positions triathlon not merely as a vibrant showcase of outdoor sports, but as a golden opportunity to leverage the sports industry and power high-quality development.

Wang Yao, deputy district mayor of Mentougou District, Beijing, stated that seizing the opportunity of Beijing's development as a renowned Dual Olympic City for international sports events, Mentougou is leveraging its exceptional mountain resources to create world-class event brands and build itself into a premier destination for global mountain sports. In line with the spatial layout of Beijing's western area as a fashion sports hub, and building on its ecological, cultural, and natural resource endowments, Mentougou is focusing on developing event IPs including cycling, hiking, cross-country running, and virtual sports, continuously enhancing its reputation as a fashion center in western Beijing and a mecca for cyclists and hikers. 

Wang Xueli, director of the Center for Development of Sports Industry at Tsinghua University, pointed out that the development model of China's winter sports features a distinct systematic approach, characterized by a strong synergy resonance among policy drivers, cultural development, empowered winter sports training, and market demand. It not only focuses on achievements in competitive sports but also integrates multiple dimensions including the popularization of winter sports, industrial expansion, and cultural prosperity, creating a new paradigm of mutual promotion and coordinated development. Wang added that China has consistently maintained exchanges and communication with the world. The development of China's winter sports has both benefited from the maturity of the global winter sports industry and injected new momentum into its growth worldwide.

Wang Zhaohong, professor and vice dean of the College of P.E. and Sports at Beijing Normal University, noted that the winter sports economy in the new era represents a remarkable evolution—from leveraging cold resources to building a vibrant economy, and ultimately advancing toward a high-quality economic model. It embodies public aspirations for a better life and mirrors the resilience and vitality of China's innovation-driven economic growth. With vast potential lying ahead, China's winter sports economy is poised to move toward a brighter future marked by higher quality, greater efficiency, and enhanced sustainability.