Hot air balloon tournament takes off in Datong

The skies were thick with a riot of colorful giant balloons, when the 2019 National Hot Air Balloon Championship kicked off in the city of Datong in northern Shanxi province on July 5. 

The championship, lasting to July 10, is sponsored by the Aero Sports Federation of China and the Aeronautical Radio Model Motion Management Center of General Administration of Sport. It was organized by the Shanxi Sport Bureau and Datong government. 

A total of 42 hot air balloon pilots from 16 clubs in 15 provinces across China are taking part in the five-day championship which consists of 20 events. 

"It's the fourth time that Datong has held the championship and the championship will help boost local aviation sports," said Zhao Xiaochun, director of the Shanxi Sport Bureau. 

In recent years, Datong has made great efforts to build itself into a demonstration city for the development of the general aviation industry, in a move to accelerate its economic transformation. 

The city has so far completed the restructuring of Datong Aviation Industry Group, brought in China Air Cargo Co and launched an air night tour program over the Ancient City of Datong. It's also promoting the construction of Shanxi General Aviation Vocational and Technical College.