“It really is an honour for all of us that the 6th Asian Beach Games (Sanya 2026) is going to be held right here in Sanya. If I were a few years younger, I'd definitely be out there on the front line doing my part,” said Wang Lijuan, a retired resident studying at the Sanya Senior Citizens University. Pouring her passion onto paper, she has created a series of vivid paintings to express her support for and anticipation of the Games.

Scheduled to take place from April 22 to 30, the Games are Hainan's first-ever continental multi-sport event since the province's establishment, as well as the first major international sporting event to be held after the official launch of the island-wide special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). As the 100-day countdown approaches on January 12, a citywide spirit of “Everyone supports the Games; everyone is a host” is steadily taking hold, with visible public participation across every corner of Sanya.

Citywide participation spreads the spirit of the Games

“The Sanya Asian Beach Games are a major event for the city and also a joyful occasion for us ‘old’ Sanya residents,” said Ma Xiulan, 75, who has spent 15 winters in the city and speaks with deep affection for her “second hometown.”

To welcome the Games, she has actively participated in various promotional activities. At the senior university, she paints the mascot, Ya Ya; outside the classroom, she works with fellow seniors from across the country to rehearse cultural performances. Through their enthusiastic efforts, they helped promote the Games and formed a warm and distinctive “silver-haired force” for this international sporting event.

Along Zhuluoling Road, which connects the Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay resort areas, a nearly 70-meter-long Asian Beach Games–themed art wall has become a brand-new notable landmark. Delightful and friendly Chinese and English slogans such as “久久不见久久见” (it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, let’s cherish this meeting) and “See ya in Sanya” stand out vividly. The official emblem of the Games, formed by dynamic blue, green, yellow, and orange strokes shaping the number “6”, appears energetic and welcoming, as if greeting guests from around the world.

“In August last year, we were commissioned by the Jiyang District Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports to plan and create this mural,” said Zhang Xin, Vice Dean of the School of Art at Sanya University. Over the course of about a week, more than 20 students collaborated to integrate the Games' slogans and emblem with Sanya's tropical elements, presenting the city as a youthful host and showcasing its energetic image.

Li Xinjing, a first-year graduate student from Anhui and a member of the creative team, recalled: “I had just arrived in Sanya and hadn't even had time to visit the attractions before joining the mural project.” She noted that the youthful energy embodied in the Games, the sunshine, the beaches, and the sports had greatly inspired her creativity.

Meanwhile, at Linchunling Forest Park, people from all walks of life have also contributed to the park's themed artworks, expressing the charm of the Games.

These works, filled with love and anticipation, not only beautify the city's streets and neighbourhoods but also embody a shared sense of responsibility and commitment to the event. When public enthusiasm meets the spirit of sport, the Games become more than a competition; they become a window through which the city presents its openness, vitality, and warmth to the world.

Multi-channel promotion ignites citywide excitement

On January 2, during the New Year's holiday travel peak, the “Star River Party” music festival was held along Yalong Bay, blending music, sports, and delicacies. In total, the festival attracted over 10,000 residents and visitors.

“This is my second time meeting Ya Ya!” said seven-year-old Xu Zhenrou, exuding her excitement when seeing the Games mascot, whose presence was felt throughout the event.

Today, Ya Ya has become a beloved “city star” in Sanya, regularly appearing at public events and promoting the culture of the Asian Beach Games with an amiable and cheerful image.

The Organising Committee has actively adopted an integrated “sports + tourism” promotion model, embedding Games-related elements into city festivals, sporting events, and cultural exhibitions, in combination with Sanya's premium coastal tourism resources. In doing so, the atmosphere of the Games has become an integral part of everyday life, continually fueling public engagement.

At the same time, the “Getting to Know the Games” program has been introduced to multiple primary and secondary schools across Sanya, covering nearly 2,000 students. After learning more about the competition events, Zhang Yuehan, a student at Sanya Foreign Language School Affiliated to Shanghai International Studies University, said: “I really hope to experience every event, and I'm especially looking forward to interacting with young people from other Asian countries.”

Dong Fang, vice principal of the school, noted that in addition to regular physical education classes, the school has established several beach sports teams, including sailing and windsurfing. “‘Getting to Know the Games’ programt not only broadens students' understanding of sport but also helps them appreciate the culture and values behind it better, serving as a vivid platform for cultivating an international perspective.”

From airports and railway stations to streets and plazas, from shopping malls and scenic areas to campuses and communities, Ya Ya has become a lively and familiar presence throughout the city. Promotion for the Games has evolved from visual displays into a multidimensional, interactive communication network.

Broad mobilisation brings all sectors together

In September last year, the launch ceremony for Games volunteer recruitment was held at Hainan Tropical Ocean University. Eleven universities and institutions across the province responded actively, with students enthusiastically signing up and undergoing training to prepare for volunteer service.

“The Asian Beach Games are the largest comprehensive beach sports event in Asia and one of the five major multi-sport events under the Olympic Council of Asia,” said Fang Kexiong, a third-year student majoring in journalism and head of the university's Youth Volunteer Association. “I will keep strengthening my English skills, diplomatic etiquette, and knowledge of beach sports, better preparing myself for the volunteering services.”

To date, all 11 participating universities and institutions have completed general volunteer training. A well-prepared and energetic volunteer team now stands ready to contribute to the youthful momentum of Sanya 2026.

The success of the Games also relies on coordinated support from all sectors of society. “The Asian Beach Games are not only a continental sporting event, but also an important platform for promoting international exchange and cooperation in Hainan,” said Li Mengran, client manager at the business department of ICBC Sanya Branch. “From handling foreign bank cards to currency exchange, every service detail affects the overall experience.”

As an Official Premium Partner of the Games, ICBC has introduced a comprehensive financial service plan, including optimising foreign card acceptance, strengthening training for key merchants, deploying currency exchange machines, opening green channels, and promoting the use of the digital RMB, aiming to build an inclusive, convenient, and secure international payment environment.

Market development for Sanya 2026 is progressing steadily. Sponsorship plans, the licensing program, and the ticketing system implementation have all been rolled out, with sponsorship agreements already signed with multiple enterprises and further partnerships in the pipeline.

From seniors wielding paintbrushes and students eager to volunteer to classroom learning and public art, from corporate support to everyday citizen participation, the preparation for Sanya 2026 has become a vivid demonstration of how a city builds consensus, gathers momentum, and presents itself to the world. As “Everyone supports the Games; everyone is a host” turns from a slogan into collective action, a beach sports celebration showcasing Asian vitality, Chinese characteristics, Hainan's charm, and Sanya's unique appeal is set to shine along the shores of the South China Sea.