The 2017 national climbing star for future finals has held its opening ceremony in Beijing today. This year's event drew about 250 climbers from across the nation, with competitors ranging in age from 4 to 15. Participants qualified for the 2017 finals are chosen out of nearly 100,000 youth climbers from more than 300 regional competitions previously held in about 60 cities all over the country.

The event is organized by the China Mountaineering Association (CMA) and exclusively operated by Red Bird Ltd, with the famous outdoor sports brand - KAILAS as its title sponsor.

Xu Jie, the head of the development guidance dept. of the General Administration of Sport of China, Cao Rongwu, secretary-general of the CMA youth committee, Zhong Qixin, the all-around climber, who has won 4 world climbing championships and the general manager of Red Bird Ltd. Fu Yayu attended the opening ceremony.

Cao Rongwu addressed the opening speech. He said that as rock climbing becoming a new sport for the 2020 summer Olympic and with the nationwide fitness campaign going on, rock climbing has started to thrive in China. He hopes that more and more children will join this game in the future, and he also expressed gratitude for the support of all sectors of the society.

As one of the most important parts of the Climbing Star for Future，a series of promotional activities and regional competitions , the 2017 finals has attracted top youth climbers across the nation, most of whom are both talented and regularly trained. Competitors are divided into 3 groups according to their age： Group B (age 14-15 ), Group C(age 12-13), Group D(age 10-11), Group E(age 8-9). Competitions include lead, speed and bouldering. Younger participants age 4-7 (Group T) will join the exhibition match, as a way for them to experience the rock climbing competition.

The top 3 participants for each competition (lead, speed, bouldering respectively), and the all-around top 8 competitors will be awarded at the end of the event for each of the 4 age groups. Competitor ranking the first in total score will receive the title - Climbing Star for Future. Besides, this year's event will see its first Popularity Award given to the winner of internet voting.

Events like this are usually held in gyms but this year the organizer has chosen a high footfall location, a big shopping mall to hold the 2017 finals, in hope that more children will have the chance to know about rock climbing. As well as competitions, there will be a variety of interactive activities going on during the two days' event. A climbing wall for beginner has been set up in the experience area, where under the guidance of the professional trainers children could try for themselves this exciting sport.

Zhong Qixin, the all-around climber, who has won 4 world climbing championships, attends the competition as its referee. Wang Qinghua, the national climber and rout setter, and also the record keeper of natural rock climbing in China, will attend the sharing session together with another famous climber-Qu Haibin.

The Climbing Star for Future is a series of activities for youth rock climbing promotion in the nation, which runs for all year long. It is organized by the CMA with the help of rock climbing lovers from all over the country. For the past 8 years, millions of youth climbers have participated in the event.