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Chinese Grand Prix likely to stay after 2010
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-24 14:24

LONG RUN

Briton Lewis Hamilton had the chance to clinch the drivers' championship in Shanghai for the last two years but the race has been shifted to April in the 2009 calendar, a move Sun believed would work out well in the long run.

"In the first half of the year, there are not many international events in Shanghai, the Autumn is very busy," he said. "The first year will always be tough when you change an event but in the long-term view, I think it's a good move."

China's financial capital has lost a round of the motorcycling world championship, the Asian Open golf tournament and the season finale of men's tennis, the ATP Masters Cup, from next year's calendar.

Andy Roddick of the U.S. speaks with the media during a news conference announcing his withdrawal from the Masters Cup tennis tournament in Shanghai due to an injury November 12, 2008.[Agencies]

In place of the Masters Cup, however, the impressive Qizhong tennis complex will host a new Masters Series tournament from next October.

Juss has signed up Swiss watch company Rolex as "presenting sponsor" of the event and Sun is confident that, despite the global economic downturn, the city will continue to attract big international events.

"I think for sure there will be more events coming to Shanghai, the only thing we don't know is when and how," said Sun, who will be co-tournament director of the new Shanghai Masters 1000.

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