Chinese Government announces plans for nationwide municipal network of fitness paths

The General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) has released an initiative revealing that by 2020, the country plans to build up to 300 kilometres of fitness paths for each county (municipality/district) in the nation.

To be built in a range of different environments including riversides, the countryside and forests, the paths are expected to be used for mountain sports, jogging and brisk walking.

Under the plan, local governments would set up supporting rest and service areas in accordance with specific roads and tourist attractions.

The plan also specifies the financing model for the works, coordinating with existing financial sources, social capital funds and infrastructure projects for transportation, agriculture, forestry and water conservancy.

The plan also suggests that specific fitness paths be built for different sports such as cycling and orienteering and be coordinated with recreation camps, ‘sports leisure towns’ and beautiful village projects, linking with projects for tourism, poverty alleviation and increasing income.

For example, by the end of 2018, the city of Chengdu in the Sichuan Province is expecting to build 1600 kilometres of green paths, aiming to turn itself into a ‘sponge city’ with functions in ecosystem construction, leisure tourism, fitness sports, culture promotion, non-motorised traffic, agricultural landscape and emergency sheltering. 

Image: An elderley exerciser makes use of one Chengdu's existing green paths.

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