Chinese city holds basketball 'carnival' to spur nighttime atmosphere

The city of Zhangjiagang, East China's Jiangsu province, has launched a series of basketball-themed activities to boost nighttime consumption as the coronavirus epidemic wanes.

The activities, named the "basketball carnival of Zhangjiagang", will have three rounds, respectively held in May, August and November to help reinvigorate the nighttime atmosphere of the city.

The on-going first round of activities includes 3X3 basketball games, three-point contests and one-on-one competitions.

Local residents and basketball lovers are attracted to come and play, while dance and roller-skating performances are also being staged. A number of booths selling sports items have been built around a commercial plaza where the carnival is being celebrated.

"We are trying to unlock the potential of sports consumption to boost the nighttime economy. Hope our citizens can enjoy night sports life," said Sun Jianzhong, an official with Zhangjiagang's culture and tourism department.