Mainland turning to new sports

China has developed into one of the world's strongest sporting nations since returning to the Olympic fold in 1984.

Its vast population provides a wide talent base with which to produce world-class athletes in many Olympic disciplines.

But China is also starting to embrace sports which, until recently, have been considered alien to the Chinese psyche.

Foremost among these is rugby union, with much prodding coming from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

In the late 1980s, the Beijing Agricultural University formed a team with the help of a Japanese rugby enthusiast and the sport has steadily grown in popularity.

The Chinese Rugby Association is now part of the international family and there is talk of China fielding a team at next year's Hong Kong Sevens.

Many, including Hong Kong national coach George Simpkin, believe China could become a world force in rugby.