The 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention 2018 opens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Dec 8. [Photo/worldaquaticsconvention.com]

The 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention 2018, one of the highest level gatherings in the world aquatics event calendar, was held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, from Dec 8 to 10.

With the participation of more than 1,000 delegates and sports representatives from over 170 countries and regions worldwide, the three-day event aimed to provide a platform on which the global aquatics family and business leaders came together to share best practices and encourage engagement in aquatic sports.

It was organized in conjunction with the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), to be held during Dec 11 to Dec 16.

Xu Liyi, mayor of Hangzhou, addresses the opening ceremony of the 5th FINA World Aquatics Convention 2018 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Dec 8. [Photo/worldaquaticsconvention.com]

Addressing the opening ceremony, Xu Liyi, mayor of Hangzhou, welcomed the guests and said that the convention is another important international gathering that has taken place in Hangzhou since the 2016 G20 Summit.