In the morning of January 11th, the Opening Ceremony of the First International Congress for Leisure Sports and Recreation was held in the Library Theater of BNUZ. More than 150 Experts from 17 countries and areas, including China, Korea, UK, America, Japan, Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, came to BNUZ to investigate the current trends and directions of international leisure sports and recreation.

In the meeting, the World Recreation Education Association (WREA) China Branch was formally established. The Permanent Site of the World Leisure Forum, which located in BNUZ, was officially inaugurated.

This five-day meeting was sponsored by the World Recreation Education Association, and held by BUNZ. The president Rongji Lee and vice president Jae Joon Ro of WREA, Ye Tian who is the director of Chinese Sports Science Institute, and deputy director and secretary-general of the Chinese Sports Science Association, the deputy secretary Xinsheng Sun of Dalian Municipal Sports Bureau, the principal Bingshu Zhong of Capital Physical Education College, the dean Zhenming Mao from the School of Physical Education and Sports in Beijing Normal University, the principal Guangju Chen and vice-chancellor Zhongkui Wu of BNUZ, together with guests from Korea, America, UK, Japan, Russia, Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia attended the opening ceremony. The deputy secretary of Zhuhai Education Bureau Xiangming Wu was invited either.

As the representative of the event organizer, BNUZ principal Guangju Chen gave an opening speech in the ceremony. He indicated that the first International Congress for Leisure Sports and Recreation has a profound meaning not only for BNUZ and Pearl River Delta, but also for the development of leisure, sports, health and entertainment in China. This congress was also believed to demonstrate the prospect of future health, sports and recreation, to promote the cooperation between countries in the field of traditional games and modern entertainment culture, and further establish self-image and international status in the developing Chinese market.

In the opening ceremony, the WREA president Rongji Lee specially awarded BNUZ principal Guangju Chen, and Zhong Yong, the dean of Sports Leisure School. The branch license of WREA was also granted in BNUZ officially. As the branch of WREA was established in the School of Sports Leisure in BNUZ, the president Rongji Lee showed that it could lead to the ultimate development of the school.

The deputy secretary of Zhuhai Education Bureau Xiangming Wu expressed that the establishment of Permanent Site of the World Leisure Forum will open up a window for foreign exchange, and make contributions to the comprehensive development of Zhuhai.

During the meeting, representatives from different countries reached a consensus of the purpose, which is promoting the development of leisure sports and entertainment, learning the advanced experience worldwide, and investigating the strategic plans and future trends. Heated debate and discussions were carried out on the development of world leisure industry, the future trends of sports and entertainment, current situations of PE majors, research on relationships between economy and sports leisure, and the promotion of leisure equipments. The related topics involved in many fields, which include health, leisure, entertainment, natural science, and actual practice.

Ye Tian, an expert from the World Leisure Committee showed that, in relating to more activities, leisure sports can play a significant role in preventing chronic diseases and improving people’s health. This congress would contribute to the development of international leisure sports.