Luoyang (China), March 10, 2025 – In a major milestone for its global expansion, AIMS is proud to announce the opening of its official regional office in China. The initiative was formalized during a recent visit by AIMS President Mr. Stephan Fox to Luoyang, where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Luoyang Sports Federation.
The new partnership is a key element of AIMS’ strategy to support member federations and the development of national sports organizations, particularly in establishing national federations and promoting international sporting events. Mr. Fox’s visit included high-level discussions with key sports authorities, such as Mr. Zhao Hongfei, Director of the Luoyang Sports Bureau, and Mr. Zhang Ronghua, President of the Luoyang Sports Federation.
During the visit, the AIMS delegation toured the state-of-the-art Luoyang Sports Complex—a facility comprising nine sports venues—and the Luoyang urban sports area, home to the Luoyang Sports Museum. The new AIMS Office China will be located in the museum building, occupying an entire fully equipped and branded floor dedicated to AIMS operations.
Luoyang, one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals in Henan Province, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including historical landmarks such as the UNESCO-listed Longmen Grottoes and the White Horse Temple, widely recognized as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. The city is also historically linked with Wu Zetian, the first and only empress regnant of China, adding to its unique blend of ancient tradition and modern development.
The official launch event included an evening reception on February 27th, hosted by Ms. Ren Lijun, Deputy Mayor of the Luoyang Municipal People’s Government. The following day, on February 28th, the MOU was signed at Luoyang City Hall in the presence of Mayor Xu Yixian, Deputy Mayor Ms. Ren Lijun, and other senior city officials.
Mayor Xu Yixian expressed his gratitude to AIMS for selecting Luoyang as the site for its China office, emphasizing the opportunities the partnership will create for local sports communities and AIMS members alike. Mr. Fox highlighted the pivotal role AIMS plays in supporting non-Olympic sports on a global scale, noting China’s rising influence in the international sports arena. He also reiterated AIMS’ commitment to fostering inclusion, equality, and universality through sports.
The establishment of the AIMS Office China represents a significant step forward in promoting and developing sports worldwide, reinforcing AIMS’ mission to facilitate greater international collaboration and representation in the sports community.
