With the sound of waves and lively cheers, the first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was successfully held on the evening of 13 March at Sanya Bay No.1 in Tianya District, Sanya.

The first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was held on the evening of 13 March. Photo: Li Hao

As a key platform for public engagement before the competition, the event blended artistic performances with interactive activities, allowing residents and visitors to fully engage with the vibrant spirit of the Games through active participation.

The program began with the prelude performance “Invitation from the South China Sea – Meet in Sanya.” In the musical and visual piece “Invitation Across the Sands,” dancers in costumes inspired by local symbols such as the Hainan Eld’s deer, coconut trees, and ocean waves visually embodied the Games’ emblem, “Setting Sail” and principles of “green, shared, open, and honest.”

The first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was held on the evening of 13 March. Photo: Li Hao

The first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was held on the evening of 13 March. Photo: Li Hao

This was followed by a musical performance titled “See ya in Sanya,” where performers representing athletes from various countries took the stage with sports equipment. The Games’ mascot “Ya Ya” appeared as a symbolic bridge connecting the audience, conveying the Games’ slogan “See Ya in Sanya,” and highlighting the values of openness, harmony, and shared participation.

The "Tianya Sports Chic” fashion show brought the event to another highlight. Inspired by Li ethnic tie-dye techniques, the costumes skillfully blended icons of the 15 sports disciplines from the Games with traditional Li brocade patterns, showcasing the Games’ sports culture with Hainan’s maritime traditions and intangible cultural heritage. 

The first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was held on the evening of 13 March. Photo: Li Hao

Through stunning performances, the static cultural symbols were transformed into vibrant, fashionable displays, and the interactive setup further enhanced public understanding and engagement with the Games.

The rap performance “Decoding the Asian Beach Games” used energetic rhymes to present essential details about the Games, such as the event dates, mascot, slogan, sports program, venues, and hosting philosophy, enabling the audience to learn more about the event in an engaging and entertaining way.

The comedy sketch “Travel with the Games” creatively combined sports and tourism, illustrating the friendly hospitality across Sanya’s industries and capturing residents' and volunteers' eagerness to bring that friendliness to the city and the visitors.

Meanwhile, the theatrical performance “Be a Proud Host – Sanya in Action” demonstrated the commitment of individuals across various sectors and showcased progress in the Games’ preparations, embodying the message that “everyone is a host.”

The interactive experience zone was equally popular, featuring engaging activities inspired by sports such as Beach Volleyball, 3×3 Basketball, and Beach Soccer. Residents and visitors enthusiastically participated, filling the venue with cheers and applause.

Participants also engaged in quizzes about the Games, competing to win souvenirs featuring the official emblem and mascot, further energising the atmosphere.

The first event of “Warm Hearts, Open Arms — Sanya Welcome You”, the 6th Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026 (the Games) Community-Based Cultural Outreach Activities, was held on the evening of 13 March. Photo: Li Hao

By integrating performances and interactive experiences, the community cultural outreach activities turned the Games from just a sporting event into a lively and meaningful part of daily life for local residents.

Four more events are scheduled at various locations: CNSC Sanya International Duty Free Plaza (Tianya District), Lanhai Square (Jiyang District), Maling Community (Tianya District), and Tianyue City (Jiyang District).

As anticipation for the Games heats up, Sanya’s residents are enthusiastically preparing to host this major Asian beach sports and cultural event, showcasing their pride and hospitality.