STORY: Vlog: Beach tourism in China's Beihai enjoys "Olympic boost"
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:22
LOCATION: BEIHAI, China
CATEGORY: SPORT

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU XINGNENG, Surfer
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PENG PENG, Surfer
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LI YIJIA, Surfer
4. various of surfers
5. STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): GUAN QINGBIN, Instructor at Southwest Wave Surf Club
7. various of surfers
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): LIU XINGNENG, Surfer
9. various of surfers
10. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): PENG PENG, Surfer
11. various of surfers
12. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): LI YIJIA, Surfer
13. various of surfers
14. STANDUP 2 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
15. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LIU PENG, Head of athletic sports, Beihai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
16. various of surfers

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): LIU XINGNENG, Surfer
"It's pure fun. You will feel relieved."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): PENG PENG, Surfer
"Once you surfed in Beihai during the southwest monsoon, no other waves can frighten you."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LI YIJIA, Surfer
"I can't wait to ride the waves."

Beihai
Guangxi, China

STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"Surfing is believed to be an ancient sport, but it didn't make its Olympic debut until the Tokyo Games in 2021. This thrilling sport continues to provide a gust of fresh air at Paris 2024 surfing competition outside Teahupo'o in Tahiti.
Lucky for those boarders in south China's Beihai City. Here, they can do flashy grabs and tricks without traveling half the globe."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): GUAN QINGBIN, Instructor at Southwest Wave Surf Club
"The Southwest Wave Surf Club was established in August 2021. We train about 20 to 30 surfers a day. The beaches in Beihai's Qiaogang Town boast relatively gentle waves, which are more friendly for beginners. The summer vacation is a peak season for tourism, during which we offer surfing lessons more frequently as there will be an uptick of surfers in the sea. The inclusion of surfing in the Olympics has greatly promoted our surfing industry. After this year's Olympics, we expect to receive more enthusiasts including teenagers and college students."

Beihai offers a wide range of water activities for enthusiasts. In summer, surfers from all over China flock to the city's beaches to enjoy a feast of fun, exuberance and joy.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): LIU XINGNENG, Surfer
"It's been less than a month since I rode a board for the first time. I initially tried it out of curiosity, and I then got hooked. I used to be afraid of the sea, but when I go out to sea with a board, it actually feels incredibly enjoyable."

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): PENG PENG, Surfer
"I've been surfing since 2019. The lifestyle of 'weekend surfers' has surged in popularity. I come here to surf every weekend. Surfing is a charming sport. Every wave you ride is different. It's formed by nature. The moment you stand on the waves, all the fatigue and frustration will disappear, and you will feel relieved inside out."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): LI YIJIA, Surfer
"I've always wanted to learn how to surf. Today I'm here to have my first try. And I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait to go into the water now."

STANDUP 2 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"Nestled cozily in the southeastern coast of Guangxi, Beihai boasts a beautiful long stretch of beach, white sand and a calm atmosphere, which make it an ideal place for water sports. In recent years, the municipal government of Beihai has ramped up efforts in integrating sports with tourism."

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): LIU PENG, Head of athletic sports, Beihai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism
"The beaches and waves in Beihai are suitable for water sports. In recent years, Beihai has hosted a series of sporting events to promote beach and marine tourism. After surfing became an official Olympic sport, it did attract surfing enthusiasts or those who want to try surfing to visit coastal cities with suitable conditions to experience it. We will do our best to provide visitors with a great and enjoyable surfing platform."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beihai, China.
(XHTV)