A South Korea competes at the IFSC Climbing World Cup in Xiamen last year. [Photo/VCG]

One of the biggest sports events to take place in Xiamen in eastern Fujian province -- the IFSC Climbing World Cup -- will kick off on Oct 18, according to local media.

The IFSC Climbing World Cup has been held in Xiamen every October for four years.

As rock climbing has officially entered the Tokyo Olympic Games, this year's competition in Xiamen will be upgraded to a point race for the Olympic event.

Public participation in sports in Xiamen ranks among the top in China, with the city having laid a solid foundation for the development of its sports industry.

Besides the IFSC Climbing World Cup, Xiamen hosts various high-level sports events each year, including an international marathon, a world triathlon and a world beach volleyball tour.