Xiamen City is one of China's five special economic zones and the most dynamic central city along China's southeast coast. Over the years, Xiamen's economy and social undertakings have developed consistently and the people's living standards have been improved constantly. Sports, as a key component of social undertakings, have achieved remarkable results.

　　Great development of public sports: Public sports have always been popular in Xiamen. At the end of 1994, Xiamen Public Fitness Leading Group was established and meetings regarding public health building were held, which help promote a wide spread of public fitness activities in the city. Activities such as thousands of people swimming across Xiamen-Gulangyu Strait, family entertainment sports meeting, morning exercises competition are held from time to time while "national fitness week" and "national fitness festival" are held every year. Sports activities for elderly people are held regularly. 24 delegations with a total of more than 2,000 people took part in the 7th Sports Meeting for Elderly People held in 2006. As of today, hundreds of sport organizations or organs have been established in all the districts, communities and the fitness centers in most communities have been perfected day by day.

　　New breakthroughs in competitive sports: Great success has been achieved by Xiamen delegation at various events. Xiamen athletes broke two national records in track and field created after 1949 since they participated in the first Fujian Provincial Sports Meet held in 1952. From then on Xiamen has achieved remarkable results in sports competitions and produced a great number of world champions and renowned Asian athletes including Lin Feng (shooting), Ni Zhiqin, Zheng Dazhen (track and field), Guo Yuehua (pingpong), Luan Jin, Lin Ying, Lin Jiangli (badminton), Ji Xinpeng and Zeng Guosheng. Therefore Xiamen is honored as "a cradle of world champions". In 2000, Ji Xinpeng won the champion of Men's Badminton Singles in Sidney Olympic, which not only fills the blank of such event of China, but also moves Xiamen's sports undertakings to a new phase. In the 6th National Urban Sports Meet, Xiamen delegation hit a historical high either in participated events or in the number of participants and achieved a remarkable result: 4 gold medals, 7 sliver medals, 8 bronze medal and a total score of 256. in 2006 Xiamen athletes won 3 gold medals and 3 bronze medals have been won at international competitions, and 257 gold medals, 225 silver medals and 222 bronze medals at domestic competitions. In the 13th Provincial Sports Meeting in 2006, the number of gold medals, total medals and group scores of Xiamen delegation stood at the top of the province, creating a best result in history.

　　International marathon competition in Xiamen has become a brand event: The 1st International Marathon and National Marathon Championships was held in March 2003. Such was the largest international sport event with the largest scale, greatest influence, highest level and most participants in Xiamen's history. 11,998 runners from 35 countries and regions took part in the championship, among whom 1,234 runners were from overseas. From then on, the International Marathon Competition is held annually in Xiamen and has been successful for 6 years till now. The event has attracted the attention of more and more people for its large scale and great influence. Over 30,000 runners took part in the competition in Jan., 2008, creating a new record in terms of the participants. Xiamen's International Marathon Competition serves as not only a brand of Xiamen's sports, but also a city card.

　　Sports facilities are perfecting: Since the implementation of the first local regulations on Provisions Concerning Sports Facilities Construction and Protection of Xiamen City in 2000, the construction of sports facilities has sped up and a number of sports facilities have been completed in succession. Kak Kee Gymnasium with a total investment of 236 million Yuan and an area of more than 42,000 m2 is the most advanced gymnasium of Fujian Province so far. Perfect sports infrastructure has laid a solid foundation for realizing great achievements of Xiamen's sports undertakings. In 2006 10 fitness routes were constructed in communities and 120 basketball courts were constructed in rural area, thus basically realizing the target of a basketball court in every village. According to statistics, in 2006 there were 1,896 outdoor fitness parks and squares and 1,089 sports fields in the city.

　　Sports industry has taken an initial shape: Along with the rapid development of economy and social undertakings, the sports industry in Xiamen has taken an initial shape and the industry chain has been perfected daily. By the end of 2006 392 companies with 35,300 working staff had been engaged in sports industry with a total capital of 4,793 million Yuan, realizing a value-added of 1,162 million Yuan and 1.1% contribution rate to the growth of GDP; 39 sports products manufacturers above designated size accounting for 31.79% of the total sports products manufacturers had accomplished a total industrial output value of 4,025 million Yuan, of which exports were 3,943 million Yuan and 97.96% of their products were exported to overseas markets, creating 210 million Yuan of profit. Major sports products include high-level bodybuilding equipment, tennis racket, harness and balls. They are exported to European and American markets such as the USA, Britain, Germany and Italy.

　　（Editor:ShenJiaju）