An Asian Games venue opens to the public in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in September 2024. [Photo/IC]

East China's Zhejiang province outlined plans to expand the province's sports landscape at a provincial conference on Jan 21.

Top priorities include increasing the output value of the sports industry to 600 billion yuan ($82 billion) and launching a provincial soccer team.

The province also aims to boost public fitness with more accessible facilities and better services. By year-end, Zhejiang plans to increase per capita sports facility space to 3.4 square meters, ensuring there is more room for people to stay fit.

Agreements on 11 key projects were signed at the event, including partnerships to co-develop national teams in canoeing, rowing, cricket, and boxing, along with provincial teams in squash, diving, and flag football.

Looking back at 2024, Zhejiang athletes made their mark at the Paris Olympics, winning eight gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals — their best-ever performance.

The province also added 1,540 grassroots sports facilities and hosted over 20,000 fitness events in the past year, drawing more than 6 million participants.