Torch bearers Ding Junhui (front R) and Dong Dong (front L) run with the flame during the opening ceremony of the World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua)

CHENGDU, Aug 7, (Xinhua): The ancient seal script characters for "Chengdu," inscribed over two millennia ago on bronze ware, came to life in a dazzling display of fireworks at the opening ceremony of the 12th World Games in the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday evening.

This fusion of Chengdu's historical and cultural legacy with the excitement of an international sporting event brought the ceremony to a resplendent climax.

Jose Perurena, president of the International World Games Association, stated that the Chengdu World Games would be more than just a sporting event - it would be a cultural festival.

The Chinese characters for "Chengdu" were first discovered on locally unearthed bronze ware, highlighting the city's rich history and the fact that its name has remained unchanged for over 2,000 years.

During the opening ceremony, the characters "Chengdu" illuminated the night sky alongside 12 symbolic flowers, each representing a host city of the World Games. This was followed by the growth of a "Tree of Friendship," inspired by the ancient tree-root relics from Chengdu's Jinsha Site and the Sichuan native dove tree, unfolding a civilizational dialogue across mountains and seas and symbolizing peace, progress and friendship.

Launched in 1981, The World Games serves as a platform for non-Olympic sports, embracing self-expression and cultural inclusiveness. The Chengdu edition of the Games intertwines the historical heritage of Chinese culture with a modern international sporting event.

Qiao Wei, chief scriptwriter of the Chengdu World Games' opening and closing ceremonies, said that every detail of the opening ceremony - from stage performances to video presentations, and from the attire of the guides to the performers' headpieces - showcased Chengdu's rich cultural heritage.