NANNING: Young players from China and Asean countries competed in the recently concluded Asean Esports Tournament in China, deepening their friendships and enhancing mutual understanding through esports.
Held in Nanning, in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the tournament attracted 12 teams in total.
"Because of esports tournaments, I was able to go out of the country and had many opportunities to communicate with professional players from all over the world, which made me very happy," said Ryan Na Jie Rong (pic), a player from Malaysia's BSE Club.
Although he speaks fluent Chinese, this was Ryan's first trip to China. Before becoming a professional esports player, he had never travelled outside Malaysia. Now, not only has he seen more of the world, but he's also been able to share his experiences with youth from various countries and regions through esports.
"Being able to compete face-to-face with players from China and Asean countries allows us to observe each other's strengths and build friendships during the competitions," he added.
With the rise of mobile devices and the development of network communication technology, esports has become a key avenue for youth communication worldwide. Many young people use esports as an important platform to showcase their skills and exchange ideas. Despite language and cultural differences, esports competitions allow young people to cross borders, share experiences, and connect.
Tang Jialin, a player from China's CNA team, noted that the tournament allowed him to compete against professional players from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and other countries.
"Many strong teams bring us a greater challenge, and also help us accumulate experience for higher-level international competitions," Tang said, emphasising the strength of Asean players.
"Rivals on the stage, friends off the stage. Everyone is very sincere and friendly," Tang added.
"Esports is not only a test of brainpower, physical strength, and reaction time, but also teamwork," said Tang Zelong, a member of China's DFYG Esports Club. He expressed hope that participating in more international tournaments would improve his team's skills and help them meet other outstanding esports players.
Over the years, the scale of the esports industry has grown rapidly. From the Asian Cup to the Hangzhou Asian Games, esports has become an influential force in the global industry, with its culture becoming part of global popular culture.
According to the Global Esports Industry Development Report 2023, released by the China Esports Industry Research Institute, 70% of netizens in eight countries - including China, Vietnam, the United States, and South Korea - agreed that "esports will enable people from different countries and cultures to understand and respect each other."
The report suggests that with the continued popularisation and penetration of esports culture, it has the potential to become a "language" and "bridge" for communication among people from different countries, facilitating international exchanges. - Xinhua
