The International Volleyball Federation's  Beach Volleyball World Tour 2019 is expected to be a big draw. The Chinese leg of the international competition kicked off in Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, in eastern China's Jiangsu province, on July 4. [Photo/WeChat account of Qidong Daily]

It was thrills and spills as the International Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball World Tour 2019 kicked off in Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong in eastern China's Jiangsu province, on July 4. 

Nearly 70 teams from 29 countries and regions -- including China, the US, Australia, Germany and Russia -- signed up for the Qidong leg of the international event, whose arena was set up at the city's Yuantuojiao Tourist Resort. 

This is the first time Qidong has held such an international beach volleyball competition. Prior to the event, Qidong hosted the National Beach Volleyball Championship for two consecutive years from 2017. 

Volleyball is a sport popular with locals. Training centers have been founded there, and a great number of excellent volleyball players were nurtured, some of whom have gone on to play in the national team. 

Xu Nan, director of the Department of Competitive Sports at the Nantong Bureau of Sports, told a press conference that the city had pristine waters and top quality beaches. 

"It is very appropriate to hold a volleyball competition here," Xu added. 

Qidong and Nantong were honored to have a chance to host the event, and it is also a great opportunity for learning, Xu said.

The Yuantuojiao resort is located in the easternmost part of Jiangsu province, giving it the earliest sunrise in the province. 

At Yuantuojiao, the vast Yangtze River flows into the sea and the East China Sea and Huanghai Sea are separated. Enthusiasts say the three waters meet here in a magnificent way. Many men and women of literature and letters consider it a pleasure to see the unique 5 am sun rise at the scenic spot.