First-ever cross-boundary torch relay held for China's National Games

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2025 shows the launching ceremony of the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. [Xinhua/Mao Siqian]

SHENZHEN -- China's National Games celebrated a milestone on Sunday as its first cross-boundary torch relay is held simultaneously in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, with one week before the Games opens.

Following the launch ceremony in the southern coastal city of Shenzhen, the torch relay started in Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - four key cities of the Greater Bay Area.

200 torchbearers from all walks of life will carry the flame, including physicist Xue Qikun and former Olympic diving champion Yang Jinghui.

The "source flame" was extracted and ignited from combustible ice lying more than 1,500 meters beneath the surface of the South China Sea in September.

Following the relay, the torch flames from the four cities will converge in Guangzhou later on Sunday, at Guangdong Olympic Sports Center to be merged into a single flame, which will light the main cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games on November 9. 

Torch bearer humanoid robot "Kuavo" (front) runs during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Jiang Han]

Torch bearer Xue Qikun (C) runs during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025.  [Xinhua/Jiang Han]

Torch bearer Xue Qikun waves his hand during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Mao Siqian]

This photo taken from an helicopter on Nov. 2, 2025 shows an aerial view of the launching ceremony of the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. [Xinhua/Liang Xu]

This photo taken from an helicopter on Nov. 2, 2025 shows an aerial view of the launching ceremony of the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. [Xinhua/Liang Xu]

Torch bearer Li Yi (front) runs during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Sun Fei]

Torch bearer Li Yi waves her hand during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Macao, south China, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka]

Torch bearers Yang Jinghui (L) and Liu Weiqiang relay the torch in front of the Guangzhou Museum during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Deng Hua]

Torch bearer Yang Jinghui waves his hand during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Du Yu]

Torch bearer Timothy Fok Tsun-ting (2nd R) runs during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai]

Torch bearers Timothy Fok Tsun-ting (L) and Lee Chun-ho relay the torch during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai]

Torch bearers Liu Pingyun (R) and Rao Hong clap hands during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Deng Hua]

Torch bearer Li Jiayi (C) poses in front of the Five Goats Statue during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Du Yu]

Rosanna Law Shuk-pui (L), secretary for culture, sports and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, receives the torch during the torch relay for China's 15th National Games in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 2, 2025. [Xinhua/Wang Shen]