A Suzhou publicity film themed around table tennis was broadcast at Times Square in the US on December 12.

The lively film is part of an event to promote a 500-day countdown to the 53rd World Table Tennis Championships, which will be held in Suzhou of Jiangsu province from April 26 to May 3, 2015.

It is the fifth time that China will hold the championships and the first time the competition will be held in a prefecture-level city. It will also be the highest level single-sport competition hosted by the city.

A series of events kicked off at the same time, including a collection activity for logo designs, mascot designs and slogans for the competition and an event named “Happy Table Tennis in Schools.” “Happy Table Tennis in Schools” includes a Suzhou student table tennis competition, a championship-themed painting competition and a training camp. It aims to promote table tennis among youth.

The event will last until May 2015.

Athletes from more than 160 counties and regions will attend the championships in 2015, and more than 2,000 people will be involved, including reporters from over 300 media outlets.