Members of the Chinese delegation parade on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the 12th World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province.CHEN BIN/XINHUA

　　The 12th World Games burst onto the global stage on Thursday night with an opening ceremony that artfully married host city Chengdu's rich cultural legacy with stunning firework displays, as State Councilor Shen Yiqin declared the event open before global audiences.

　　Dazzling fireworks lit up the sky at moments throughout the opening ceremony, amplifying the energy and excitement of the spectacle. The pyrotechnics incorporated meaningful symbols, including a luminous rainbow bridge arching across the night, ancient Chinese seal characters for “Chengdu“ — replicating inscriptions first found on a bronze weapon dating back over 2,000 years — and 12 floral fireworks symbolizing all the host cities of The World Games.

　　Cai Canhuang, chief designer of the fireworks display, said, “These elements represent Chengdu's warm welcome to all guests and athletes, while showcasing the host city's perfect blend of ancient heritage and modern openness.“

　　The ceremony unfolded beneath Asia's largest freestanding wooden structure — the 460-meter front hall canopy of Tianfu International Conference Center. Spectators enjoyed a unique lawn seating experience on the waterfront, where the show presented urban sports culture through breakdancing, frisbee and rollerskating performances, alongside a 50-minute parade of athletes.

　　Xu Xingguo, vice-mayor of Chengdu, described the ceremony as “a dynamic, multicultural celebration that brought together sport lovers, children's enchanting voices, a creatively crafted flame-lighting ritual and breathtaking fireworks — all merging into a spectacular audiovisual experience“.