Qingdao Declaration on International Sailing Sport

(August 22, 2010 Qingdao China)

    At the invitation of Qingdao Municipal Government, more than 200 representatives from over 20 countries and regions participated in the 2010 Qingdao International Sailing Week and attended the Olympic Sailing City Mayors & International Sailing Summit Forum from August 21-23, 2010. Under the theme of “ Dancing Sails, Eternal Blue”, we have exchanged in-depth views on the development trend of international sailing sport and reached consensus on strengthening exchanges and cooperation among countries and regions, as well as promoting the popularity and enhancement of international sailing sport.

    We hold that the success of the Sailing Competitions of Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games has greatly enhanced the popularity and development of China’s sailing sport. The booming sailing sport of China, a country with 1.3 billion people, will exert a positive influence over the improvement of global sailing. The First Olympic Sailing City Mayors & International Sailing Summit Forum held fruitful discussions and exchanges within the international sailing community, which is of great importance to inheriting the Olympic legacy and enhancing the cooperation in sailing sport among countries and regions. We suggest that under the guidance and support of the International Olympic Committee, International Sailing Federation, International Association of Disabled Sailing and the National Sailing Federations worldwide, on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and win-win development, the Forum be developed into a brand name and platform for the exchanges and cooperation of international sailing sport.

    We see that, with the impetus of modern Olympic Games, the sailing sport is getting more popular in coastal countries and regions. At present, the sport reaches over 120 countries and regions. With large-scale sailing events such as American Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, World Match Racing Tour, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race having far-reaching influence around the world, sailing sport has become one of the most passionate and dynamic water sports. Sailing has become a significant bond of international sport culture as it deepens cooperation and enhance friendship.

    We stress that the future and hope of sailing sport rest on youngsters. We call on capable countries and regions to carry out persistently the popularization of sailing knowledge and events for youngsters, to improve the planning and infrastructure and to create a better environment by establishing youth sailing clubs, specialized schools and training camps. International sailing organizations should send excellent coaches to the developing countries to improve the skills of their junior sailors, thus raising the overall capability and establishing a talent reservoir for world sailing sport.

    We advocate that the competition system of world sailing sport be upgraded through holding successful international events. Asian countries and regions in particular should be encouraged to host more international sailing events and emphasize on the popularization and promotion of sailing sport. More technical and personnel guidance and support should be given to Asia, and make the continent with 30% of the world's land and 60% of the total population a center of global sailing sport.

    We hope that all countries and regions will make concerted efforts to advance coordinated development of sailing with tourism, culture and sports, strengthen cooperation in sailing exhibition, tourism and manufacturing technology, and increase people-to-people exchanges in science and technology, education and other fields. The young people and sailors will be brought closer via diversified sailing activities. We would like to promote world peace, unity, friendship and progress, and usher in a bright future with vigorous sailing sport.