The scale of the fitness and leisure industry in Guizhou province will reach 45 billion yuan ($6.52 billion) by 2020, according to a new policy announced by the general office of the Guizhou provincial government.

Governments at all levels are now required to cover fitness in their local financial budgets to develop the fitness and leisure industry. Social capital is encouraged to engage in the sports industry through joint ventures, sole proprietorship, franchises and government cooperation. Sport enterprises registered as new and high technology enterprises are permitted to pay a reduced corporate income tax of 15 percent.

Guizhou is a mountainous province, its geographic conditions quite suitable for?sport projects such as climbing, bicycling, marathons, hiking, cross-country running, spelunking and camping.

Outdoor campaigns will be established by 2020, such as the Fanjing Mountain International Road Cycling Race. One or more outdoor mountain sports bases are planned for construction in each provincial city. Several counties at high altitude are encouraged to develop winter sports. The amount of people participating in winter sports in Guizhou is estimated to reach 200,000 by 2020.

There are 54 ethnic groups in Guizhou province, offering a unique advantage for unique cultural sports. Traditional ethnic sports have become the focus of local governments, with each city urged to set up a nationally famous ethnic sporting campaign after?three years.

In addition to 100 sports parks planned for construction in Guizhou province by 2020, additional leisure programs are currently under construction, including outdoor mountain camps, trailer camps, bikeways, fitness trails and service stations for hiking and cycling to aid in the happiness and physical fitness of local residents.

Edited by Zachary Dye