Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) — On a warm weekend in early summer, thousands of muddy, out of breath but determined children ran, crawled and climbed during the Spartan Kids obstacle race in Beijing.
The race, which was held on May 24-25 at the Universal Beijing Resort theme park, namely the Universal CityWalk, involved children aged 4 to 14, who covered distances of 3 to 5 km with 18 to 26 obstacles. The children jumped over walls, climbed nets and clung to bars, while their parents applauded wildly from the sidelines.
“There are definitely times when my kids feel exhausted and want to give up, but that’s part of growing up,” six-time Olympic champion Ma Long said after jogging alongside his sons.
The growing popularity of events like the Spartan Kids obstacle race reflects a growing interest in children’s fitness in China, as well as a national push to get more children physically active, especially at a time when childhood obesity is becoming a major public health issue.
Nearly 19 percent of children in China aged 6 to 17 are overweight or obese, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). Research suggests that the overweight and obesity rate among Chinese children could reach 31.8 percent by 2030.
In response, China is stepping up efforts to reverse this trend. Notably, a three-year national weight-loss campaign was launched in 2024, while the government is also calling for stricter weight control measures among infants, children and adolescents.
In April 2025, the NHC issued a notice calling on relevant hospitals, including children’s hospitals and traditional Chinese medicine hospitals, to establish specialized weight loss clinics.
The country is also placing greater emphasis on physical education in schools. In Beijing, new guidelines call for more intensive physical education classes designed to make students “work up a sweat.”
Liang Jiaqi, a 12-year-old fifth-grader in Beijing, is one of many students embracing the breaks. His school now offers daily physical education classes, as well as regular long breaks that provide plenty of time for active recreation.
He said running is his favourite way to stay active, and he has also recently taken up table tennis, playing the sport daily with his younger brother and his neighbouring friends.
“Sports makes me feel relaxed and happy,” he said. “I have made new friends and I eat better after training.”
On International Children’s Day this year, Liang Jiaqi is putting her passion into practice by competing in orienteering. “It sounds fun and creative! I hope I can do it!” -0-