The mass sports events of the 16th Games of Shanxi Province were launched in Datong, North China's Shanxi province, on April 18. 

The events consist of 18 competition programs and four exhibition programs for football, basketball, table tennis, softball, roller skating, tug-of-war, bocce, qigong (a Chinese system of prescribed physical exercises or motions performed in a meditative state), and square dance, in which people of all ages and from all walks of life can participate. 

That same day, the qigong competition kicked off, with more than 200 athletes from 10 cities participating. 

The Games of Shanxi Province, which are held every four years, are the largest, highest specification and most influential comprehensive sporting event in Shanxi. 

This year's Games of Shanxi Province are being held in the cities of Datong, Shuozhou, Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Changzhi, and Linfen between April and August.