The 2024 Belt and Road Diplomats Cycling Series (Dinghai – Zhoushan) kicks off. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2024 Belt and Road Diplomats Cycling Series kicked off in Dinghai district, Zhoushan, on Dec 1, with around 1,000 participants, including diplomats from Ecuador, Cuba, Romania, and Thailand, international students, and local enthusiasts.

Cycling through the Xinjian village in Dinghai, Su Rui, a counselor from the Central African Republic's embassy in China, praised the environment of the village and expressed his hope to become a promoter of exchanges that would foster international cooperation with Zhoushan.

The event featured the diplomats and international students group, the men's open road cycling group, and the public leisure cycling group.

In the men's open group, cyclists rode through several scenic spots in Dinghai. Despite only being 11 kilometers, its challenging design, with continuous climbs and sharp turns, tested the participants' endurance. Han Shunyuan from Shandong province emerged as the champion in this category.

The event was not only a competition but also a chance for diplomats, athletes, and other participants to experience Dinghai's unique natural and cultural charm.