Participants of the Diplomatic Sports Series Invitational Tournament take a group photo. Photo: Courtesy of Center for Foreign Sports Exchange

The 2024 Diplomatic Sports Invitational Tournament was held on May 25 at the Beijing Sport University. 

The event has been hosted for nearly two decades, and it was guided by the Foreign Liaison Department of the General Administration of Sport of China (GAS) and organized by the Center for Foreign Sports Exchange (CFSE), with cooperation from the Beijing Sport University.

With the aim of using sports as a medium to foster camaraderie and showcase athletic prowess among diplomatic missions in China, the Diplomatic Sports Series has become a significant platform for strengthening mutual exchanges and friendships. 
This year's event not only emphasized sports but also incorporated elements of traditional Chinese culture, facilitating cultural exchanges and promoting understanding among nations.

During the opening ceremony, Wei Daishun, director of CFSE expressed his hope that participants would enjoy the competition but also immerse themselves in the essence and charm of traditional Chinese culture, fostering lasting memories and deepening mutual understanding through the bridge of sports.

The 2024 edition featured competitions in three sports: Five-a-side soccer, badminton, and tennis, with a total of 148 participants, including special representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the GAS soccer club.
In addition to sports competitions, the event showcased traditional martial arts and breaking dance performances. 

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in traditional Chinese sports experiences such as pot throwing and weightlifting. 

After a day of fierce competition, the MFA soccer team emerged as the champions of the soccer tournament. 

In tennis, the winners included Peter Lizak from the Slovak Embassy, Hye Rim Im from the South Korean Embassy, and Nguyen Thanh Trung and Nguyen Duy Trong from the Vietnamese Embassy. 

Meanwhile, the badminton champions were Russel Yang Dharmawan Njata of Indonesia in the men's singles and Iwashima Ayami of Japan in the women's singles. Indonesian pair Abdi Wahyu Purnomo and Iin Meidiwinata Nani won the mixed doubles title.

The event underscored the universal language of sports and its role as a vital platform for promoting understanding and communication between nations. 

Furthermore, diplomats gained deeper insights into the rich and diverse culture of China, further enhancing cultural exchanges and friendly cooperation between China and other countries.