Cheng Kar-Shun Champion Development Foundation powers Beijing Sport University’s role in shaping China’s athletic future

On June 10, the medals for the 15th National Games were officially unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the lead-up to China’s premier multisport event. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group played a pivotal role as it leads the design and crafting of the Games’ medals with its signature artistry and design excellence, also serving as the exclusive sponsor from the jewellery industry for the 15th National Games, as well as the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, underscoring its commitment to promoting national sports and extending the aesthetic language of jewellery design to the world of sports.

Held once every four years, the National Games of the People’s Republic of China is the country’s highest-level and largest national multisport event. From Nov 9 to 21, the 15th National Games will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao — marking the first time the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area takes center stage in this historic event.

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With roots tracing back to its founding in Guangzhou in 1929, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery shares deep ties with the Greater Bay Area. Its role in this year’s Games is not only a tribute to its heritage but also a celebration of regional unity and cultural pride.

Medals that speak without words

Named Tongxinyue, meaning “united leaps”, the competition medals embody the collaborative spirit of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and Guangdong province. Crafted with jewellery aesthetics, the design intentionally omits textual elements on the emblem side, allowing the artistry to speak for itself.

The emblem side of the medals showcases the National Games’ emblem — three intertwined petals from the cotton tree, bauhinia and lotus, representing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao respectively. These are gracefully set above a peony, China’s national flower. The “Three Flowers Reflecting the Peony” motif embodies the vibrant growth of the Greater Bay Area, nurtured by the support of the motherland.

“It is a thoughtful way to show how expertise and creativity are used to communicate without words, adding purity and elegance to the overall aesthetics,” said Max Lam Hung-shing, General Manager — Creative & Design at Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group and Chief Medal Designer for the 15th National Games.

The mascot side of the medal features the Games’ official mascot, inspired by the Chinese white dolphin, engaging in a dynamic interplay with water rings that connect end-to-end to form the number “15” — a tribute to the 15th National Games. This composition captures a refined balance of vitality and agility, reflecting both the spirit of the Games and the elegance of its design.

Encircling the medal are three sets of concentric Mobius rings, symbolizing infinity and continuity. Their seamless integration with traditional Chinese motifs and regional characteristics embodies a delicate balance of cultural heritage and modern innovation. Along the rim, 66 finely crafted ridges pay homage to the 66-year history of the National Games, anchoring the design in legacy while looking forward to the future.

Each medal is adorned with a red ribbon attached to a “Tongxin Knot”, inspired by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge – an emblem of unity and inclusive development.

“These medals are not merely symbols of achievement — they are expressions of Chinese cultural heritage and artistry shining on the national stage,” Lam said. “As the exclusive sponsor from the jewellery industry, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery is honored to contribute our design expertise and artistic vision to the creation of these medals. We hope they become cherished carriers of memory for the athletes, intertwining with their career stories and inspiring future chapters of athletic glory.”

The medal design was a collaborative effort between Chow Tai Fook’s jewellery design teams in Hong Kong and on the Chinese mainland, working in close partnership with the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. “The Hong Kong team brings an international perspective and refined aesthetic sensibility, while the mainland team members offered deep expertise in detailed refinement and technical execution,” Lam noted. “Together, they brought complementary strengths that fused creativity with precision, resulting in a design that embodies both artistic excellence and cultural resonance.”

Nurturing future champions

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s dedication to Chinese sports goes beyond medal design. In April 2022, the Group donated 120 million yuan ($16.83 million) to establish the Cheng Kar-Shun Champion Development Foundation in partnership with Beijing Sport University (BSU). The foundation aims to nurture athletic talent and strengthen sports development nationwide.

To date, over 700 athletes, coaches, and educators have benefited from its support for training, competition, and research. In June this year, the foundation broadened its mission with the launch of a five-year initiative to strengthen physical education (PE) in rural communities. This program aims to train 500 highly qualified PE teachers, with the goal of elevating the standard of rural physical education and improving the health and well-being of young people. The first phase of the program began in Jishishan county, Gansu province, where 100 rural PE teachers underwent a monthlong systematic training program.

“I’m deeply grateful for the Cheng Kar-Shun Champion Development Foundation’s support of competitive sports at Beijing Sport University,” said Xu Mengtao, a student at Beijing Sport University and gold medalist in Women’s Aerial Ski at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, who previously received a training grant from the Cheng Kar-Shun Champion Development Foundation. “I hope the Foundation will continue to empower BSU to cultivate more outstanding athletic talent for the nation. I also hope that more students will be inspired to pursue excellence, push beyond limits, and realize their dreams of championship.”

At this year’s National Games, students from Beijing Sport University will take part in the pursuit of excellence. Should any athletes supported by the Foundation earn medals designed by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, the achievement would hold even greater significance — uniting design, dedication, and triumph in a powerful symbol of national pride.

A celebration to be shared

With less than 45 days until the Games, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group unveils the Chow Tai Fook × National Games Collection. Inspired by the 15th National Games emblem, medals, and mascot, the Collection transforms athletic spirit into exquisite jewellery, celebrating strength, beauty and cultural pride.

Presented in three themes, each design draws on a core symbol of the Games. Emblem-inspired pieces feature the cotton tree, bauhinia, and lotus — representing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao — woven into radiant motifs of vitality and unity. Medal-themed designs reinterpret the Mobius rings and 66 ridges from the official medals, expressing legacy and continuity with a sleek, modern touch and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s signature “Timeless Red”. Mascot-inspired creations bring joyful energy, turning Xiyangyang and Lerongrong into lucky beads and sporty charms. Regional culture shines through in designs that celebrate the spirit of Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao.

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More than accessories, these pieces invite the public to share in the pride and joy of the National Games — wearing a tribute to athletic excellence and cultural heritage. Each design captures the passion and unity of the Games, allowing wearers to carry a piece of this historic moment. Whether worn to mark personal milestones or gifted to commemorate shared memories, the Collection transforms sporting spirit into lasting symbols of inspiration.