Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, is undertaking final preparations for the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), also known as the "Short Course Worlds", which will be held in the city from Dec 11 to 16.

As one of the biggest swimming events in the world along with the Olympic Games and FINA World Aquatics Championships, the six-day competition is set to bring 1,000 athletes from 180 countries and regions across the world to compete at the 10,000-seat Tennis Center, which is part of the spectacular Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center.

A temporary competition pool and pool deck will be constructed on top of the main arena of the Tennis Center.

In the opening ceremony, dances and choreographies will be staged showcasing the elements of water and the urban style of Hangzhou.

In addition, the 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention, a top-notch gathering for the leaders of the wider aquatics family looking to share best practice and knowledge within the world aquatics community, will also be held preceding the event.

The FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), which is held in a 25 meter pool, were first held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain in 1993. In December 2014, Hangzhou beat off competition from the UAE's Abu Dhabi and Peru's Lima to become the second city to host the event in China, after Shanghai in 2006.

The Tennis Centre at the spectacular Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Center is the competition venue of the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), which will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from Dec 11 to 16. [Photo/fina.org]

A design sketch of the swimming pools for the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), which will be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province from Dec 11 to 16. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]