China - January 22, 2025 Niche actives drive new wave of sports consumption in China (Voice_over) In Beijing, niche sports that you can do indoors or with a group of people are becoming popular as a form of entertainment and exercise. Skate parks, climbing gyms and golf, like this indoor driving range, are located near other shops and attractions, like restaurants and movie theaters, all of which drive customer traffic. (Sound_bite) Hong Shirong, Head, indoor golf store: "More and more young people come to try golf after having supper and hanging out near our store. Many of them have never played golf before and are eager to give it a try.” (Voice_over) Many city dwellers are ready to shell out big for urban sports gear and classes: whether hopeful parents supporting young athletes or working adults with generous expendable incomes. (Sound_bite) Mother of skateboarding enthusiast: "I paid about 1,367 U.S. dollars for 20 lessons, and I also bought a skateboard for her." (Sound_bite) Archery enthusiast: "I purchased all this equipment for about 2,734 U.S. dollars. I feel a sense of accomplishment after each successful shot." (Voice_over) According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, almost 50 percent of the participants from a recent nationwide poll said they do some form of physical activity, a nearly 20 percent increase from 2018. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]