2019 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly

• 2019 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly Starts in Nanning
• Appreciate the New Development of China and ASEAN along the Belt and Road during a Journey of 18 Days

On September 11, the departure ceremony of 2019 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly (“CAITA”) and China-ASEAN Journalists Rally (the “Rally”), was held at Nanning Sports Center in Guangxi as scheduled. At 9 o’clock in the morning, amidst the roar of engines of the fleet, the 18-day China-ASEAN tour officially started. This Rally is themed on “promoting the development of New Land-Sea Corridor and planning the new development of the Belt and Road Initiative”, based on the 16th anniversary of China-ASEAN strategic partnership, and aimed at boosting friendly exchanges between China and ASEAN.

At 9 o’clock in the morning, Mr. Xie Qiang, Deputy Director-General of Guangxi Sports Bureau and Commander of the Rally,  introduced the background of this year’s Rally and delivered a speech to guests, media, racers and citizens present on the scene. From the beginning of this year till now, the preparation of the event has attracted great attention from General Administration of Sport of China, Party Committee and People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as well as ASEAN Secretariat. This event is fully supported by consulates general in Nanning of ASEAN countries and is carefully instructed by the Administrative Centre of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of the State Sports General Administration of China.

At 9:20, Yang Guangyu, Deputy Director of the Administrative Centre of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of the State Sports General Administration of China delivered a speech. Then the representatives of referees and racers took a solemn oath at the ceremony, pledging that they would strictly abide by the competition rules and regulations, take the race seriously and try their best to complete the competition. At 9:30, Mr. Huang Junhua Vice-chairman of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region presented the flag to the commander-in-chief responsible for stages in foreign countries, and wished the event a big success beforehand. With the sound of start signal, all racing cars set out from the starting point one after another, which signified the beginning of 2019 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly and China-ASEAN Journalists Rally themed on “promoting the development of New Land-Sea Corridor and planning the new development of the Belt and Road Initiative”.

The motorcade started from Nanning in the morning and then reached Jingxi. This stage included rally races and fixed speed races. The motorcade then started from Jingxi and entered Vietnam end via Pingxiang Friendship Pass. The journey in foreign countries covers Hanoi and Vinh in Vietnam, Vientiane in Laos, Khon Kaen, Bangkok, Chumphon and Hat Yai in Thailand, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru in Malaysia and ends in Singapore. The whole journey is about 5,000 kilometers. According to the condition of road and competition areas, 8 rally races, 5 fixed speed races and 4 track races will be held during 18 days. In rally races, the motorcade should rally at designated spot within set time; in fixed speed races, sets of cars should drive at a fixed speed in a designated competition stage within set time; in track races, racers should participate in competitions in the track set by the organizing committee according to the rules. Karting race belongs to track race, in which racers should compete in set track at different speeds. The organizing committee will present Jinguo award (for excellent female) and aggregate score award after all the competitions. More than 160 racers, journalists and staffs from China and ASEAN countries will record the microcosm of the development of “new New Land-Sea Corridor in the west” by wheels and camera lens, witnessing great achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative.

More photos here

2019 CAITA is hosted by General Administration of Sport of China, the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and ASEAN Secretariat; co-organized by the Administrative Centre of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of the State Sports General Administration of China, Federation Of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Sports Board and other 16 units; and solely operated by Mitime. In this wonderful September, racers will drive over thousands of kilometers, making wheels their writing brush, mountains and rivers their ink to write a splendid chapter for this grand sports event, showing respect to the Belt and Road Initiative and celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. In the following 18 days, let’s anticipate for the exchanges of city cultures in this top sports event.

Photos: Gilbert Chao