Shenzhen’s ‘high-tech’ showcase

The Seamaster ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open will kick off in Shenzhen on May 29, with organizers promising a high-tech feel to this year’s competition.

One of the most prestigious events on the table tennis calendar, the $346,000 tournament will feature over 200 competitors from 37 countries and regions, including Chinese superstars Xu Xin, Zhang Jike, Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan.

German duo Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Timo Boll and Belarusian Vladimir Samsonov head a strong foreign contingent.

The six-day event features men’s and woman’s singles and doubles, and, for the first time, mixed doubles.

Fans can expect high-tech interaction with players, said Ding Dongmei, general manager of the event’s operator, Kaisa Sports Industry (Shenzhen) Co Ltd.

Technological innovation is Shenzhen’s “calling card” and “of great significance” to the development of the sports industry, she added.

In addition to the action on the tables, the event will feature a range of cultural and entertainment activities, including an exhibition of table tennis history and culture, a week-long carnival and a “ping-pong on campus” program.

“Shenzhen is a young and fashionable city with a pluralistic culture. By integrating innovative elements into the country’s national sport, the tournament will give viewers a refreshing experience,” said Li Mi, an official from the table tennis and badminton department of the General Administration of Sport of China.

Since its launch in 1988, the China Open has been held in dozens of cities across the country, including Shanghai, Guangzhou and Nanjing.