This golden autumn, Weihai has opened a new chapter for the city with a grand international elite sea-fishing invitational tournament. “Traffic formula.”

　　On October 12, the inaugural “Chasing Light Cup” 2025 International (Weihai, China) Sea Fishing Elite Invitational Tournament, sponsored by Weihai Huancui Culture and Tourism Development Group Co., Ltd., concluded successfully. Organized under the guidance of the China Fishing Club Alliance and co-hosted by the Weihai Municipal Ocean Development Bureau, the Weihai Municipal Sports Bureau, and the Weihai Municipal News and Media Center, the event brought together top sea‑fishing experts from 18 elite teams, fully showcasing the allure of “golf on the sea.”

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　　As one of the cities with the richest marine fishing resources in the country, Weihai hosts more than… fishing events every year. With 50 events—ranging from the Weihai International Sea Fishing Festival to the National Lure‑Fishing Championship—this city has drawn anglers from across China and around the globe. So how has Weihai managed to “hook” the world?

　　Thanks to Weihai’s unique marine resources, anglers from across the country flock to these waters, making sea fishing a cornerstone of Weihai’s efforts to build itself into an innovative, internationally competitive maritime powerhouse. A vibrant traffic gateway 。

　　“Weihai is a city blessed with unparalleled marine resources and a premier fishing destination,” said Choi Young-jin, head of programming at South Korea’s FTV, who came to cover this elite sea-fishing invitational tournament. He added that, through the event, he personally witnessed the Chinese anglers’ wealth of experience and exceptional skill. technology of Moreover, Weihai’s abundant and high-quality sea-fishing resources also left a deep impression on him.

　　Weihai, a city born of the sea, has become a premier destination for sea fishing thanks to its unique geographical location and abundant marine resources. An ideal spot for enthusiasts 。

　　Weihai boasts With a 968-kilometer coastline and nearly 10,000 square kilometers of maritime territory, situated along the golden latitude of 37°N, this region is one of China’s richest in marine resources. For more than three decades, its aquatic product output has consistently ranked first among all prefecture-level cities nationwide. It is known as the “Seafood Capital of China” and the “Famous City of Marine Food in China,” boasting a robust marine‑industry base and strong momentum in the blue economy.

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　　Weihai’s abundant marine resources and exceptional sea-fishing experiences have drawn a host of seasoned anglers to the area.

　　The first edition At the “Chasing Light Cup” 2025 International (Weihai, China) Elite Sea Fishing Invitational, Zhang Zhiwei, a competitor from the Macao team, returned to Weihai for another tournament. The changes he’s witnessed here feel both familiar and refreshingly new. “I came to Weihai for a sea‑fishing competition ten years ago and finished third,” Zhang said. “The waters here are vast and teeming with marine life, making it an ideal spot for catching sea bass and mackerel.” He added that his return has brought him fresh insights: the city’s tourism infrastructure is now more comprehensive, and the local scenery is richer than ever, offering a wide array of fishing experiences—rock‑fishing, boat‑fishing, island‑circumnavigation tours, guided fishing outings, and inter‑island excursions—to cater to diverse preferences.

　　Weihai boasts a number of premier sea-fishing hubs, including Liugong Island, Rido Island, Chudao Island, and Sanliandao. By developing marine ranches to high standards, it is fostering the deep integration of recreational fisheries with tourism, culture, and sports. In 2024, the city’s marine ranches welcomed over one million visitors, generating more than RMB 50 million in additional revenue for local businesses and establishing the region as a nationally recognized destination for eco‑experiential recreational fisheries.

　　Choose the right fishing rod to catch fish. Weihai is known as… “The Capital of Chinese Fishing Tackle,” the booming fishing‑gear industry has also become a key driver of marine‑fishing development.

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　　Huan Cui District as The core heartland of China’s “Capital of Fishing Tackle,” surrounded by the sea on three sides, is a paradise for anglers and the very “heart” of the global fishing‑gear industry. As Yu Tongyi, Deputy District Mayor of Huancui District, noted in his opening address at this elite sea‑fishing invitational tournament, Huancui District is home to more than 260 fishing‑tackle manufacturers and supporting enterprises, with an annual output exceeding 20 million fishing rods—meaning that three out of every ten rods worldwide are made in Huancui. Leading companies such as Guangwei, Global, Handing, and Baofeilong have clustered here, establishing a complete industrial chain that spans R&D and intelligent manufacturing all the way to global sales, thereby creating a “shared hub” for the fishing‑tackle sector and achieving a comprehensive leap forward in ecological sustainability, industrial sophistication, and regional quality.

　　Weihai Guangwei was the first to break the triple blockade on products, technology, and equipment, elevating China’s carbon‑fiber manufacturing capabilities to the international forefront. Its deep‑sea fishing rods, crafted from this advanced fiber, can effortlessly reel in bluefin tuna weighing over 50 kilograms.

　　Handing Fishing Tackle’s automated production spans from loading and unloading to intelligent material handling, precision tape winding, and accurate spraying. More than 30 production processes for fishing rods have been fully automated, boosting manufacturing efficiency by 50% and cutting costs by 30%.

　　In the intelligent coating workshop of Weihai Haiyuan Fishing Tackle Co., Ltd., silver-white, highly realistic lures closely mimic the appearance of real fish. A 1:1 reproduction, compared with traditional hand‑applied painting, significantly enhances the color accuracy and realism of the bait.

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　　At present, Weihai is home to fishing tackle manufacturers and related supporting enterprises. With over 1,000 enterprises and an annual output value exceeding RMB 10 billion across the entire industry, its core products include fishing rods, reels, guides, artificial lures, and fishing lines. The region has established a comprehensive industrial chain spanning raw materials, manufacturing equipment, components, and finished goods. Weihai produces 40 million fishing rods annually, capturing more than 60% of the global market share and emerging as one of the world’s leading centers for fishing‑tackle R&D and manufacturing. Building on this foundation, Weihai has further expanded into outdoor leisure products such as boats, recreational vehicles, paddleboards, and tents, showcasing cutting-edge advancements at the intersection of fishing gear and the broader outdoor‑recreation sector.

　　“Rushing to a city for a single event” ， Sea fishing Exercise As an emerging Blue ocean industry, It has become a key lever for many coastal cities to boost new forms of consumption. , which is also part of urban brand development.

　　“From the deep-sea aquaculture platform ‘Yuji No. 1’ to the national-level marine ranching demonstration zone; from building the ‘Weihai Seafood’ brand portfolio to the vigorous growth of new business models such as sea fishing and recreational fisheries—Weihai is driving high-quality development of its marine economy through a full‑chain, high‑value‑added, and sustainable approach,” said Wang Jiming, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Weihai Municipal Ocean Development Bureau. The first edition The “Chasing Light Cup” 2025 International Elite Sea Fishing Invitational is not merely a sporting event, also It is a time A Vivid Example of the Deep Integration of “Sports + Culture and Tourism + Marine Economy” 。

　　In recent years, Weihai has steadily established new platforms for international maritime cooperation, including the National Sea Fishing Championship, The hosting of prestigious events such as the “Fish Roam the Four Seas” International Lure‑Fishing Elite Tournament has comprehensively elevated the level and quality of international maritime cooperation. As one of the key driving forces behind this event, Ji Jingjian, President of the China Fishing Clubs Alliance, firmly chose Weihai as the venue for the sea‑fishing competition.

　　Ji Jingjian stated that, from the very beginning of the preparations, the event has been more than just… “Competition” itself—guided by the organizing team’s core principle of “using competition as a medium,” Showcase Weihai’s marine tourism resources and leisure sports industry to the nation and the world. , promote “Event traffic” continues to translate into “economic growth,” Future The “Chasing Light Cup” aims not only to become an internationally renowned sea‑fishing competition brand, but also to serve as a bridge linking ecology, industry, and culture—enabling more people, through this event, to appreciate Weihai’s marine splendor, the exquisite craftsmanship of its fishing gear, and its rich cultural heritage. 。

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　　The sea fishing industry must… “Cast a long line to catch a big fish” — in the present moment Weihai , create Combining sea fishing competitions, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences. Premier domestic and international fishing tournaments IP, further develop a service platform and industrial system that fosters the coordinated growth of distinctive recreational fisheries and tourism, in order to… “A thousand miles of mountains and seas” · At Ease in Weihai Led by its brand, it showcases to the world the unique allure of an international coastal leisure and resort destination.