City to stage tech-fueled grand finale for Games

A view of the Happy Theater in OH Bay, Bao’an District. The 15th National Games closing ceremony will take place at the theater on Nov. 21. Courtesy of Happy Theater

The 15th National Games, a showcase of Chinese athletic prowess, will conclude Friday with a closing ceremony in Shenzhen that promises to be as innovative as the city itself, featuring a fleet of cutting-edge robots and a first-of-its-kind coastal stage.

The ceremony, set for Friday evening, breaks with tradition by moving from a standard stadium to a bespoke seaside venue. This innovative design will merge a land-based spectator area with a performance stage over the water — a first in the event’s history.

The closing ceremony will involve over 2,500 performers and staff from 63 different groups. Reflecting the Games’ joint hosting by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the ceremony will highlight the cultural tapestry of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A segment titled “Symphony of the Greater Bay Area” will feature 120 performers from the three regions showcasing shared cultural elements to foster a sense of unity and belonging.

The core components of Yuhesen Technology's mobile robots — patented omni-directional chassis units, are lined up on the stage during a closing ceremony rehearsal yesterday. Photo from app "宝安湾"

True to Shenzhen’s reputation as a tech hub, technology will be a central character in the finale, with local firms playing a starring role.

In a preview of the technological spectacle, 16 fully autonomous mobile robots, developed by Shenzhen Yuhesen Technology Co. Ltd., have been rehearsing for the event. Their core component — a patented omni-directional chassis — is a product of nine years of research and will make its global debut at the ceremony before being launched internationally.

“This technology is a leader in its field,” said Li Leida, co-founder of Yuhesen. The team has been rehearsing for nearly a month to ensure a flawless performance.

A scene from the closing ceremony rehearsal held yesterday. Photo from WeChat account "深视新闻”

The closing ceremony is the culmination of the Games, where Shenzhen’s technological prowess has been a recurring theme. The opening ceremony in Guangzhou featured three humanoid robots from Shenzhen-based UBTECH playing replicas of ancient bronze musical instruments. Other local companies, such as Unilumin and Tecnon Smart Display, provided advanced visual displays and smart light pole screens.

For the finale, the organizing committee collaborated with over 20 tech companies to integrate the latest innovations, including a tech-driven extinguishing of the Games flame — a spectacle the organizers promise will be both novel and futuristic.