On September 21-22, the 2024 Basketball Game for Foreigners in Beijing, co-hosted by the Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports, was held at the Jintang Xinguangjie shopping center in Fengtai District.

The game attracted the participation of ten teams from the embassies of Mongolia and Cuba, and six universities such as the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), as well as the Beijing-Japanese Club Basketball Association (Beijing 56°ers). The players come from 18 countries, including Cuba, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Rwanda. After intense competition, the international students teams from USTB, Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU), and North China University of Technology (NCUT) won the champion, runner-up, and third place, respectively, in the foreign nationals’ group.

Champion Group Photo

The game is a cultural and sports event organized by the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office for foreign nationals in the city. It is part of Beijing’s efforts to serve its role as the capital, and further enhance the city’s environment and services for foreign nationals. The event aims to enrich the leisure life of foreigners in Beijing, provide a platform for communication and interaction, and help them feel belonged as part of the city. The event has been held for seven consecutive years, with nearly 70 teams and over 1,400 foreign participants. It has attracted around 20,000 Chinese and foreign spectators and enjoys a high reputation among foreign embassies and expatriates in China.

Runner-up Group Photo

In the golden autumn with refreshing breezes, the outdoor court at Xinguangjie was buzzing with excitement. As the referee blew the whistle, the players immediately started an intense game. With precise passes, cuts, layups, and long shots, the players displayed agility and teamwork, captivating the crowd. Every drive to the basket and dunk earned rousing cheers. At the most thrilling moments, the spectators erupted in applause, many raising their cameras to capture the highlights. After the games, many eagerly posed for photos with the teams to commemorate the occasion.

Third Place Group Photo

Daniel García Morales from the Embassy of Cuba in China mentioned that many diplomats at the embassy enjoy sports and are looking forward to more such activities in the future. Rabenarivelo Mandranto, a student from Madagascar at China University of Geosciences (CUG), said he was delighted to participate in the event. He commented that the atmosphere was lively and friendly and that although his team did not place, they gained valuable experience, motivating them to keep training for the games next year. A Japanese member from Beijing 56°ers noted that everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and had a great time. He said that it was not only a sports competition, but also an opportunity to exercise, relax, and foster exchanges, helping everyone better integrate into the city.

Exciting Moments

This year’s game was included as part of the Beijing Third Community Cup Basketball League Three-Person Basketball Tournament, which is the city’s most influential community-level basketball event. It also received strong support from the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the Beijing Investment Promotion Service Center, and the Beijing Overseas Talents Center.