Quick Read
- Seven pairs of twins competed in artistic swimming at the 15th Chinese National Games in Jiangmen, Guangdong.
- Olympic champions Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi from Guangdong defended their duet title with a score of 286.9092 points.
- The world’s first floating, dynamically-positioned cage-type aquaculture vessel, ‘Zhanjiang Bay 1’, began operation in Guangdong.
- Guangdong Investment Limited secured a HK$2.25 billion loan for general corporate funding, reinforcing economic stability.
Guangdong’s Artistic Swimming Twins: Redefining Synchronized Sport
Jiangmen, a city in Guangdong province often called “China’s City of Dance,” became the stage for a spectacular artistic swimming showdown at the 15th Chinese National Games in 2025. What made this year’s competition truly remarkable was the presence of seven pairs of twins among the ten teams, each pair moving with uncanny, almost telepathic synchronisation. Olympic champions Wang Liuyi and Wang Qianyi—hailing from Guangdong—defended their duet crown, scoring an impressive 286.9092 points. Their routines, Lotus and Leopard, not only showcased technical brilliance but also the silent, innate connection that only twins seem to possess.
Chinese national team head coach Zhang Xiaohuan, herself a five-time National Games champion, explained the phenomenon: “The identical physicality and inherent understanding between twins give them a unique edge in artistic swimming. Their movements are almost mirrored, elevating the sport’s visual artistry—a critical factor in what many call ‘water ballet.’”
The Wang sisters’ journey doesn’t end at the pool. After competing in the Paris Olympics, they began doctoral studies at the Education University of Hong Kong, delving into sports psychology to further enhance their performance. As Wang Qianyi shared, “We adjusted our mindset quite well in this competition. Even if the rhythm was a bit off at the beginning, we could quickly make up for it later.”
The silver went to another twin pair, Lin Yanhan and Lin Yanjun from Beijing, who scored 267.4946 points. Their story echoes a growing trend in Chinese artistic swimming: twins, with their genetic and psychological synchronicity, are dominating the sport. From childhood, their training has been shaped by shared rhythms and intuitive communication, allowing them to align movements and even breathing without a word.
This trend traces back to the legendary Jiang sisters from Sichuan, who inspired a new generation after placing fourth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and securing multiple World Championship medals. For athletes like Liu Jinhan and Liu Jintong from Hunan, watching the Jiang sisters was a “light-bulb moment”: “If they can do it, so can we,” Liu Jinhan recalled.
The team event amplified this twin synergy, featuring four more twin pairs—including Guangdong’s He Yulu/He Yuyao—each contributing to an almost mesmerizing visual effect. Coach Zhang underscored the difference: “When non-twin athletes pair up, there will be differences in form and rhythm. Twins, on the other hand, are nearly ‘copy-paste’ replicas, making inconsistencies almost invisible.”
Beyond the physical, the emotional support twins provide each other is invaluable. As Lin Yanhan noted, “When we encounter difficulties or feel exhausted during training, we encourage each other, set goals together, and work towards them as a team.”
Marine Innovation: ‘Mobile Marine Ranch’ Sets Sail in Zhanjiang
While artistic twins captured the public’s imagination, Guangdong’s coastline witnessed a technological breakthrough: the launch of “Zhanjiang Bay 1,” the world’s first floating, dynamically-positioned cage-type aquaculture vessel. Delivered in Zhanjiang, this vessel marks a new era for China’s aquaculture industry—expanding the boundaries of mariculture with its cutting-edge design.
“Zhanjiang Bay 1” is more than just a ship—it’s an 80,000-cubic-meter mobile ranch, capable of cultivating multiple fish species in twelve independent farming zones. With an annual production capacity of 2,000 to 5,000 metric tons, the vessel is poised to reshape open-sea aquaculture. Its integration design not only reduces operational costs but also leverages intelligent systems for efficiency and adaptability in all waters, according to the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang).
This innovation is part of Guangdong’s broader push to lead in marine technology. By expanding mariculture space and promoting sustainable aquaculture, the province is setting a benchmark for the rest of China—and possibly the world. The vessel’s nickname, “mobile marine ranch,” captures both its mobility and its promise: to bring the farm to the sea, wherever it’s needed.
Economic Pulse: Guangdong Investment Secures Major Loan
Guangdong’s progress is not confined to sports and science. In 2025, Guangdong Investment Limited—incorporated in Hong Kong and majority-owned by GDH Limited—announced a HK$2.25 billion term loan facility to support its general corporate funding needs. This move, detailed by TipRanks, excludes real estate, toll roads, and electric power plants, focusing instead on sustaining operational agility and expansion.
The loan, set for a term of 364 days, comes with a critical condition: GDH Limited must maintain at least 51% ownership, ensuring that the Guangdong Provincial Government retains decisive control. Should this threshold slip, the facility could be cancelled, potentially impacting Guangdong Investment’s financial stability.
Currently, the company boasts a market cap of HK$50.67 billion, with a “Hold” analyst rating and an HK$8.00 price target. The move underscores Guangdong’s commitment to long-term financial health—balancing innovation in marine and sporting arenas with prudent, strategic investment in its economic backbone.
Guangdong 2025: A Tapestry of Progress
From Jiangmen’s artistic pools to Zhanjiang’s innovative marine platforms and the boardrooms of Hong Kong, Guangdong in 2025 is a province in motion. Its ability to foster extraordinary talent—whether genetically gifted twins or visionary engineers—and sustain economic momentum through strategic funding highlights a broader narrative: Guangdong is not simply adapting to change, but actively shaping its own future.
The rise of twin athletes in artistic swimming is more than a quirk of genetics—it’s a metaphor for Guangdong’s approach: leveraging unique strengths, nurturing collaboration, and pushing boundaries. The launch of “Zhanjiang Bay 1” signals a commitment to sustainability and technological leadership, while Guangdong Investment’s financial maneuvering reveals a province that understands the importance of stability amid ambition.
In 2025, Guangdong stands as a multifaceted powerhouse, proving that innovation, talent, and fiscal discipline are not isolated achievements but interwoven threads in the province’s evolving tapestry. The convergence of athletic excellence, marine ingenuity, and financial stewardship makes Guangdong a region to watch—not just within China, but on the global stage.