On the evening of November 9, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China was held at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center in Guangzhou. The Global and Mainland Engagement Division of Saint Francis University was sincerely honored to receive an invitation to this prestigious event.
The ceremony attracted an impressive audience of over 60,000 attendees and featured a distinguished roster of guests, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Huang Kunming, a prominent member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Secretary of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee, as well as John Lee Ka‑chiu (Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Sam Hou Fai (Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region), and Gao Zhidan (Director of the General Administration of Sport of China).
The presence of the delegation underscored its role as a vital conduit between Saint Francis University, the Chinese mainland, and the international community. The delegation proudly engaged in this momentous ceremony, which highlighted the powerful intersection of sport and culture. This invitation reflects a commendable recognition of the Global and Mainland Engagement Division's ongoing outreach initiatives and emphasizes its essential contribution to enhancing relations with the mainland. The team embraces this acknowledgment with profound gratitude and a sense of responsibility.
The ceremony, themed "Realizing Dreams for the Future," showcased the creative concept of "Concentric Circles." It unfolded in three major chapters—"Shared Roots, Shared Heart, Shared Dream"—illustrating the rich cultural traditions of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area alongside a visionary future. The performances seamlessly integrated advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and naked-eye 3D effects, harmoniously intertwining sports, artistic expression, and innovation in line with this year's Games theme: "Play for the Dreams in Greater Bay Area."
Guided by the motto "Preserve Our Culture, Link with the World," the Global and Mainland Engagement Division is committed to leveraging the insights and experiences gained from the National Games to foster cultural exchange and international collaboration. The Division aspires to broaden platforms for cultural engagement, strengthen partnerships with mainland and global stakeholders, and facilitate shared educational resources and academic exchanges, all aimed at celebrating the richness of Chinese culture and showcasing the University's core values on the global stage. The University has also introduced a Cultural Ambassador Program to encourage student involvement in cultural exchange initiatives.
As the Division continues to expand, the University looks forward to realizing new opportunities in educational partnerships, enhancing cultural outreach, and increasing its international influence, thereby reaffirming its role as a bridge across regions and contributing to a deeper sense of institutional identity and global connectivity.