Athletes and local authority officials pose for a group photo at the closing ceremony of the "Belt and Road" International Climbing Master Tournament 2019 Ningbo China on May 12 in Haishu district, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/people.cn]

The "Belt and Road" International Climbing Master Tournament started in Ningbo, its first stop, from May 11 to 12 in a rock climbing park in the city's Haishu district. 

The tournament, approved by the International Federation of Sport Climbing and hosted by the Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA), was initiated last year with the purpose of deepening sports cooperation between China and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative while enhancing the international influence of Chinese sports events. 

More than 80 rock climbing masters from over 20 countries and regions participated in the tournament.

Rock climbing has enjoyed increased popularity in recent years. In 2016, the International Olympic Committee even listed rock climbing as a formal event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

"As rock climbing will make its Olympic debut next year, this year is quite important for Chinese rock climbers. The tournament is a good opportunity for us to test our climbing skills and get ready for the Olympics. We have to take advantage of the opportunity and promote our country's climbing sports," said Wang Yongfeng, vice chairman of the CMA.

At the opening ceremony of the tournament, six schools in Ningbo were selected as the city's rock climbing training bases.

A woman climber shows her strength and agility in the competition. [Photo/people.cn]