Annual cycling race to return to Pingtan

The 2017 Ocean Cup China (Pingtan) International Cycling Tournament is scheduled to be held in Pingtan, Fujian province on June 11.

The race is set to be the biggest one-day cycling race in Chinese history, with a total of 2,350 cyclists from 23 countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, France, Britain, Japan and the Netherlands, registered to compete.

Three major outdoor activities—the Pingtan International Beach Food Fiesta, Pingtan International Beach Music Festival and Pingtan International Camping Festival—will also be held alongside the race.

Construction on the main venues for the music festival and food fiesta currently underway at the city's Haiyu Plaza.

The stage for the music festival is scheduled to be completed before June 10, according to Wu Gangliang, a working staff for the cycling race.

As for the food fiesta, Wu said a total of 55 tents will be erected by June 6. Exhibitors will then have plenty of time to decorate their booths before the big day.

The race, which is being held for the fourth consecutive year, has become an annual event in Pingtan, and is expected to further increase the city’s profile across the world as it actively builds itself into an international tourism island.

Riders line up on the start line of the 2016 Ocean Cup China (Pingtan) International Cycling Tournament in Pingtan, Fujian province, on June 26, 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Workers construct the stage for the Pingtan International Beach Music Festival, to be held on the sidelines of the 2017 Ocean Cup China (Pingtan) International Cycling Tournament on June 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]