Spectacular cultural performances were staged during the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games on Sunday evening in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and declared the Games open, marking the first time the country's premier multi-sport event has been jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and Honorary President for Life Thomas Bach were also present at the opening ceremony.
Themed "Shared Roots, Shared Heart, Shared Dream," the performances at the ceremony unfolded in three parts, combining the heritage and modern spirit of the Greater Bay Area through music, dance and digital technology.
Iconic landmarks such as Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor, the Ruins of St. Paul's in Macao and Guangzhou's Canton Tower were brought to life through dazzling projections.
The first chapter, titled "Shared Roots," traced historical ties among the three regions. Dancers performed alongside intelligent robots that played "Goudiao," a traditional musical instrument similar to chime bells.
The second act highlighted the richness of Lingnan culture, from Cantonese Opera to Wing Chun. Augmented reality elements accompanied the Guangdong lion dance, while VR and AR technologies brought a dragon boat race to life.
The final segment brought together renowned performers from across the Greater Bay Area.
Running from November 9 to 21, the 15th National Games include 34 sports with 419 events in the competitive program and 23 sports featuring 166 events in the mass participation program.