Linyi Showcases Rising Urban Stature Through the 26th Shandong Province Sports Games

Linyi, a city forever etched in history by the enduring Yimeng spirit of "unity between the Party and the people, deep bonds between military and civilians, and shared destiny through thick and thin," is today writing a new chapter. No longer defined solely by its revolutionary past, Linyi has emerged as an open, dynamic, and enterprising city—a transformation that has taken center stage as it hosts the 26th Shandong Province Sports Games.

A Bold New Landmark

Taking pride of place as the centerpiece of the Games, the Linyi Olympic Sports Park stadium has captured the nation's imagination. Designed to resemble the graceful bloom of the "Yizhou Begonia," the city's iconic flower, the venue stands as a testament to architectural excellence and ecological sensitivity. Since its completion, it has become one of Linyi's most dazzling new landmarks—a symbol of the city's ambitions and its readiness to embrace the future.

A Comprehensive Venue Network

The Olympic Sports Park forms the core of a thoughtfully planned and regionally integrated venue network, complemented by specialized county-level facilities and outdoor event spaces. Linyi has undertaken the construction and renovation of 33 venues across the city, creating a complete and robust infrastructure system that provides a solid foundation for the Games. From the swimming competitions held on Nanhu Island in the Yi River, to the canoe slalom course in Linshu County, from the cycling road race routes in Mengyin to the equestrian base in Tancheng, each event and each venue offers a vivid glimpse into the modern face of Linyi's urban development.

Commerce and Logistics: A Global Reach

Beyond the athletic arena, Linyi has leveraged its strategic position to become a powerhouse of international trade and digital commerce. Guided by an international outlook and underpinned by digital infrastructure, Linyi's commercial sector has accelerated the development of a dual-platform ecosystem—online and offline, domestic and international—positioning itself as a vital node in the Belt and Road Initiative and the new "dual circulation" development paradigm. In 2025 alone, the city's market transactions reached 708.53 billion yuan, logistics volume totaled 1.08299 trillion yuan, and foreign trade imports and exports hit 124.52 billion yuan—figures that speak to its growing economic heft.

Smart Manufacturing: A Model for Industrial Upgrading

Riding the wave of "smart transformation and digital upgrading," Linyi has charted its own distinctive path toward intelligent and digitalized manufacturing. Guoxing Heavy Industry, a 58-year-old enterprise with deep roots in construction machinery steel wheels, now supplies products to more than 80 leading equipment manufacturers worldwide and has contributed to the formulation of multiple national and industry standards. The company stands as a model of how traditional manufacturing can embrace the future through intelligent upgrading.

Leveraging the Games for Broader Impact

For Linyi, hosting the Games—alongside the Provincial Paralympic Games and the Provincial Senior Games—is far more than a sporting occasion. It has become a powerful catalyst for urban image-building, industrial vitality, and economic momentum. The city has seized the rare opportunity to launch an innovative "Sports+" integration strategy, combining the Games with tourism, intangible cultural heritage, and commerce. A series of spectator-friendly policies have been introduced, with more than 300 scenic spots and hotels offering special deals, and multiple curated tour routes designed to attract visitors. By converting the influx of spectators into a driver of urban growth, Linyi is proving that "a successful Games can activate a city and benefit its people."

As the Olympic flame continues to burn over Linyi, the city stands as a proud testament to the transformative power of sport. What was once a revolutionary heartland is now a vibrant, forward-looking metropolis, and its journey—from past to present, from heritage to innovation—is a story that resonates far beyond the boundaries of the Games.

Editor：张齐美