Manzhouli is out front in sports exchange

Located on the border of China and Russia, Manzhouli, the country’s biggest land port, not only connects businesses from the neighboring countries, but also exhibits a strong blend of cultural exchange.

The two sides’ connection in sports can be traced back 57 years to when the Soviet Union helped the city build its first stadium in 1956.

The wooden stadium is supported by 18 wooden pillars from the Chita state of Russia. It remains in fine working condition and often sees Russians play table tennis at the sturdy venue.

Influenced by Russia’s strong sporting culture, the border city opens all of its 20 venues for free during the winter to enable residents to participate in sports and exercises.

The sports exchange between the two countries continues to grow year by year.

Xu Wei, deputy director of the Manzhouli sports bureau, said Manzhouli linked up with Russia in nine sports in 2012, including rhythmic gymnastics, ice hockey, speed skating and tai chi.

“This city is different from others because Manzhouli’s special attention to sports is largely a result of Russia’s influence,” Xu said. “The Russians are superior — especially in rhythmic gymnastics. Their kids come to perform here twice a year, we provide them with free venues, and organize the local children to watch and learn from them.

“We invited three Russian ice hockey teams to compete with four domestic teams in December, and our young players have improved a lot through the tournament.”

The Russians, on the contrary, are greatly interested in China’s traditional martial art of tai chi.

Liu Xiuying, chief of Manzhouli’s tai chi association, said she was overwhelmed by the Russians’ passion for the sport when she led a team to perform at Russia’s international gymnastic festival in 2010.

“I didn’t expect them to be so obsessed with traditional Chinese culture,” Liu said. “The media in Russia had a whole week of coverage of our performances, and from 2011 the government of Chita started to encourage its staff to practice tai chi and sent them to Manzhouli as part of an exchange program that same year.

“Based on the success of tai chi, we are now trying to promote body-building in Russia. It has developed into a regular program between the two countries, and the Russians are making fast progress.”

According to Xu, Manzhouli, with its geographical advantage and sound sporting facilities, is expecting to build itself as an exchange platform for Chinese athletes and their Russian counterparts.

“We are planning to invite winter sports teams and children from other areas of China to compete and communicate with the Russians in Manzhouli,” Xu said. “It will help improve our players’ performances, boost cultural exchanges and also save the athletes money.”