On May 8, 2013, at the International Matching League (International Hiking Alliance) conference held in Chantonnay, France, representatives of the member countries of the International Hiking Alliance voted to approve Beijing’s application to become an International Hiking City. Beijing has succeeded in its bid to become an International Hiking City.
The international hiking movement originated in Europe and has a long history. The earliest major hiking event can be traced back to the Nijmegen March in the Netherlands in 1909. In 1986, related hiking organizations held a meeting in Paapendal, the Netherlands, with participating countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. At this meeting, it was agreed to establish the International Hiking Alliance. In 2006, at the Vancouver Hiking Conference in the United States, the International Hiking Alliance was officially named the IML Hiking Association. To date, the International Hiking Alliance has become the most authoritative international organization in the field of hiking.
The International Hiking Alliance has very strict regulations for cities applying to become International Hiking Cities. The entire application process takes four years, during which the applicant city must successfully host three International Hiking events. Each of these three events must meet the International Hiking Alliance’s standards in terms of organization, procedures, participant numbers, and event quality. For each event, the International Hiking Alliance sends observers to conduct evaluations and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Starting in 2010, Beijing began preparing its bid to become an International Hiking City. It is now the fourth year. Since 2010, Beijing has successfully hosted the Mentougou Mountain Hiking Event for three consecutive years and has made significant efforts in terms of infrastructure and promoting hiking culture.
At the International Hiking Alliance member countries’ conference held in Chantonnay, France, a final vote on Beijing’s application will take place. For this reason, members of the Wanbu Network have also organized a cheer team that traveled to Europe to participate in the hiking event, to support Beijing and witness this historic moment as Beijing becomes an International Hiking City.
At 2:00 p.m. on May 8, 2013, the head of the Beijing delegation, Mr. Hong Jiazhi, Deputy District Chief of Mentougou, Beijing, delivered the application presentation. In his speech, Mr. Hong introduced the overview of the Mentougou Mountain International Hiking Festival, the organizing committee’s commitment to future events, and the natural and cultural characteristics of Beijing. A promotional video shown during the presentation left a deep impression on all the member countries.
Mr. Hong answered questions raised by representatives of the International Hiking Alliance member countries, such as air quality in Beijing, the avian flu issue, transportation from the airport to the hiking location (Zhaitang), and the Mentougou Hiking Event website. After the presentation and Q&A session, the delegation members withdrew to await the voting results.
Amid applause, the delegation members re-entered the venue. Following a vote by the representatives of the International Hiking Alliance member countries, Mr. Ron Hendriks, President of the International Hiking Alliance, announced that Beijing’s bid to become an International Hiking Alliance City had been successful. He then presented the flag of the International Hiking City to a member of the Beijing delegation.
After Beijing officially became an International Hiking City, the Mentougou Mountain Hiking Festival in Beijing became an officially recognized International Hiking event under the International Hiking Alliance. Hiking enthusiasts who participate in each officially recognized International Hiking event can accumulate event counts and points, advancing toward higher levels of recognition. In the future, the annual Mentougou event will attract hiking enthusiasts from around the world, making the yearly hiking festival a celebration for hikers everywhere.
It is hoped that with Beijing’s successful bid to become an International Hiking City, walking and hiking activities will become more widespread in China, becoming one of the main forms of national fitness and helping people lead healthier lives. It is also hoped that this will serve as a bridge, making Beijing a city that international hiking enthusiasts aspire to visit, allowing the world to learn about China; and enabling Chinese hiking enthusiasts to go abroad, participate in hiking events around the world, experience the rich culture of hiking, and integrate China into the global community.