Ningbo: China seeks to further boost the sports industry with continued government support in terms of planning, construction and funding over the next five years, as it sees this burgeoning sector as a new driver for economic growth.

According to Namibia Press Agency, China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is focusing on promoting the development of the sports industry and outdoor sports as part of the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The NDRC will collaborate with the General Administration of Sport of China to create new development plans for the outdoor sports industry to enhance policies supporting the sector’s growth, said Chen Jun, head of the NDRC’s Department of Social Development, at a press conference held in Beijing on Tuesday.

By 2030, the nation aims to establish around 100 high-quality outdoor sports destinations equipped with comprehensive facilities capable of providing quality services and hosting various sports events. Chen added that regions with superior resource endowments and robust sectoral development will receive support to build world-class outdoor sports destinations.

Chen mentioned that support will be increased by utilizing central government funding and other funds, such as the sports lottery public welfare funds, for qualified outdoor sports venues and related public service facilities. The government also plans to encourage financial institutions to boost credit support for outdoor sports business entities and attract more private capital to jointly develop the outdoor sports industry.