Feature: Chinese flair shines at 2025 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia

Chinese team AG.AL celebrated their esports victory by bridging cultures at the China-Saudi Esports Culture Theme Pavilion, fostering friendship and collaboration through innovative and traditional Chinese elements.

RIYADH, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Fresh off their thrilling 4-3 comeback victory in the grand final of the Honor of Kings at the 2025 Esports World Cup on Saturday night, Chinese team AG.AL didn't head straight for celebrations.

Instead, they made their way to the China-Saudi Esports Culture Theme Pavilion, located within the Esports World Cup venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - setting the stage for a "second round" that bridged esports and culture.

Stepping into the pavilion, visitors are greeted by an immersive wave of Chinese aesthetics: red lanterns, oil-paper umbrellas, and traditional Chinese knots decorate the space. Two digital screens at the entrance display "China-Saudi Esports Culture Theme Week" and "Celebration of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," in Chinese, Arabic and English.

AG.AL player "YiNuo" (Xu Bicheng) was visibly moved by the setting. "The moment I walked in, I saw all these Chinese elements - the red decorations, the folding fans - it really felt like home," he said.

The folding fans, which "YiNuo" referred to, form the first interactive zone of the pavilion. Visitors can pick up fans featuring traditional ink bamboo designs and stamp them with decorative seals. The stamps include English abbreviations and classic Chinese idioms like "Victory from a thousand miles away," "Smooth sailing," and "Triumphant from the first battle," blending tradition with gaming spirit.

Beyond the entrance hall, the pavilion transitions from classic to contemporary. A futuristic zone features dazzling lighting and screens showcasing four popular Chinese-developed games: Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile, The Hidden Ones and Delta Force. Each station offers hands-on experiences, with staff on-site to provide guidance.

Jointly organized by Tencent Esports and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), China-Saudi Esports Culture Theme Week has drawn thousands of visitors since opening on July 24. Daily attendance has surpassed 2,000, with more than half being local Saudis - many young people and families with children.

Reflecting on his Esports World Cup journey, "YiNuo" said, "This tournament has been unforgettable. I got to experience Saudi culture and meet many international players."

AG.AL's visit to the pavilion was accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, and Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia - both of whom had just watched the grand final of the Honor of Kings.

Prince Faisal engaged warmly with players from both AG.AL and TT Global. He shared that he plays Honor of Kings himself, initially favoring the mid-lane role before moving to support. He also mentioned that he often watches professional team matches to improve his own gameplay.

Prince Faisal noted that an estimated 67 percent of Saudi citizens are gaming enthusiasts, a passion shared by many in China. He emphasized that esports culture serves as a powerful bridge to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the youth of China and Saudi Arabia.

With collaborations in esports between China and Saudi Arabia deepening in recent years, Prince Faisal expressed confidence that future cooperation will continue to expand in both scope and depth.

"This year marks the China-Saudi Cultural Year," Ambassador Chang noted. "The China-Saudi Esports Culture Theme Week is an important part of that. We hope that through cultural and sporting exchanges, we can further connect the hearts and minds of our two peoples." ■