The torch-lighting ceremony for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games is hosted in Guangzhou's Nansha district on Thursday. [Photo by Parker Zheng/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangzhou's Nansha district hosted the torch-lighting ceremony for the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games on Thursday.

The source flame originated from the Haima cold seep in the South China Sea at a depth of 1,522 meters. Researchers remotely controlled a device that collected methane gas seeping from the seabed. After synthesizing methane hydrate, they obtained decomposed gas via a pressure reduction device and used electricity from a solar photovoltaic power generation system to achieve deep-sea ignition. Their work resulted in the first time that a source flame has been directly obtained from the deep-sea floor.

The National Games flame will begin next month at the Guangdong Olympic Sports Center.

During the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities, and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, more than 6,000 athletes from the Chinese mainland are expected to participate in the events held in Hong Kong and Macao, while another 3000 athletes from the two SARs will compete in the mainland.

Guangzhou will host the opening ceremony for the 15th National Games, while Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, will host the closing ceremony. The competitions will take place from Nov 9 to 21.

The 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will be held from Dec 8 to 15.

This year marks the first time the National Games will be held in the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.