Against the backdrop of the South China Sea, the sacred flame for the 6th Asian Beach Games was ignited in Sanya on Monday morning, marking the start of a 10.5-kilometer torch relay and signaling the countdown to Asia's top beach sports event.

The 6th Asian Beach Games, a premier beach sport event in Asia, will be held from April 22 to 30 in Sanya. It is the first major international multi-sport competition to be hosted by Hainan after island-wide special customs operations were launched in December.

The flame-lighting ceremony took place at the southernmost cauldron site of the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, a historic landmark nestled near the iconic Tianya Haijiao scenic spot. Thirty-six years after it hosted the Asian Games flame, the site was reactivated in a symbolic gesture of continuity and the enduring spirit of Asian sports.

As the first rays of the morning sunlight broke through the clouds, six flame-lighting officiants stepped to the center of the lighting area at 7:30 am, using a concave mirror to capture the pure flame.

The torch relay brought together 74 torchbearers who carried the flame across beach, road, and sea segments. Among them were some of China's most decorated Olympians.

"Running with the torch by such a vast sea is such a unique experience," said Chang Yani, the first torchbearer and Olympic champion in women's synchronized 3-meter springboard diving at the Paris Games. "Being the first torchbearer is both a joyful honor and a weighty responsibility."

The route began along the sandy shores of a coconut corridor, where torchbearers ran approximately 4.2 km between the fine white sand and the azure waters.

At Haiyue Square, two-time Olympic weightlifting champion Shi Zhiyong took over, guiding the flame onto a 3.8-km road segment that showcased the city's coastal leisure and marine economy.

"I feel incredibly fortunate and honored to be the final torchbearer," said Qi Guangpu, the 74th torchbearer and Olympic champion in freestyle skiing aerials at the Beijing Winter Games.

"This torch carries trust and responsibility. I wish the Asian Beach Games great success, and I hope Asian athletes, beyond their competitions, can truly experience the charm of Sanya," Qi added.

Along the relay route, spectators were treated to a series of cultural performances, including Li brocade fashion shows, bamboo pole dances, Qiong opera, and Yazhou folk songs. Dynamic water sports displays such as watercraft stunts and flyboarding added to the festive atmosphere, while a robot lion dance and drumming performance at the Sanya International Yacht Center blended technology with tradition.

Song Luzeng, vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia, described the torch relay as a vital part of the Asian Beach Games, serving as a spiritual bond connecting history with the future and uniting people across Asia.

For visitors like Cui Ming, a tourist from Shandong province who happened to be in Sanya with his family, the torch relay was an unexpected highlight.

"The Li brocade show, the bamboo pole dance, and the Qiong opera — all these performances showcase the charm of Hainan's traditional culture," he said. "I wish the Asian Beach Games every success."