Subsequently, the team flags of 13 business schools from around the world and the competition’s official flag were ceremoniously paraded. Chen Xiexhong from the School of Management at Fudan University represented the athletes in taking the oath, while Luo Zhouquan, the chief judge of the competition, swore in on behalf of the referees.
In addition to attracting EMBA elites to register and compete, the event has also garnered attention and participation from numerous entertainment stars. Renowned film director, actor, and martial arts director Xiong Xinxin, as well as actress Jin Yuting, were present at the opening ceremony. They will participate in the competition as members of the celebrity experience team.
Other leaders and guests attending the opening ceremony included Liao Xiaolong, Vice Mayor of Anshun Municipal People’s Government; Zhang Gan, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Anshun Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Chen Xinya, Director of the Anshun Municipal Education Bureau; Gu Xinwei, Party Group Secretary and Director of the Anshun Municipal Tourism Bureau; Wei Quanling and Ao Caimei from the Guizhou Provincial Sports Bureau; Cai Shixin from the Anshun Municipal Education Bureau; Huang Xiangqing from the Anshun Municipal Sports Bureau; members of the leadership teams of the CPC Ziyun Autonomous County Committee, the Standing Committee of the County People’s Congress, the County People’s Government, the County Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the County Industrial Park, as well as incumbent county-level leaders and some retired veteran comrades; Dr. Xin Wang, Dean of the Research Institute at Economic Observer; Dr. Chen Guoqiang, Vice President of the China Real Estate Society; Zeng Hua, General Manager of Beijing Skyrora Outdoor Products Co., Ltd.; Hu Hongzhi, Chairman of Qianshan Xiushui China Holdings Limited; Yang Jichuan, Chairman of Qianbaidu Communication Agency; Xianghua, Managing Director of Qianbaidu Communication Agency; Wang Juncheng, Curator of the Wang Juncheng Purple Clay Art Museum; Ye Jian, Chairman of Guizhou Feitian Liquor Industry Co., Ltd.; He Li, General Manager of Beijing Heli Brothers Lighting and Sound Technology Co., Ltd.; and Lü Fei, General Manager of Green Ridge Outdoor Club.
With the announcement of the competition’s commencement by Liao Xiaolong, Vice Mayor of Anshun Municipal People’s Government, and the ceremonial striking of the warrior’s departure drum by Liao Xiaolong alongside Zhang Gan, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of the Anshun Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, actress Jin Yuting, and Xianghua, General Manager of Qianbaidu Communication Agency.
Finally, performers from the Bouyei ethnic group of Ziyun sang and danced joyfully, using their traditional glutinous rice pounding ceremony to send off the warriors.
After the opening ceremony, the global EMBA athletes about to embark on the challenge, along with the leaders and guests, participated in a distinctive Miao-style long-table banquet, where Miao performers expressed their welcome to the distant guests through song.