Beijing says it has been investing greatly in promoting mass sports activities in the city over the past five years.
During the period, the municipal government invested over 700 million yuan, or 100 million US dollars, to build sports facilities in almost all its communities and villages.
Sun Xuecai is spokesman of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sport.(www.hXen.com)
"In the past 5 years, we've seen an increasing number of citizens participating in sports activities. Their physical condition has obviously improved and their awareness of keeping fit has also been strengthened. Here is a good example. Last year, we held a table tennis tournament in communities around Beijing. 28 million people got involved in it, which set a new record of public participation in recent years."
The most popular sports among Beijing citizens, according to the spokesman, are table tennis, hiking and Tai Chi.
He said Beijing plans to invest in more out-door table tennis tables and basketball courts to meet the demands.
The capital city's sports-related business has seen an increase in turnover of 15% in recent years, with generated GDP accounting for 3% of Beijing's total.
