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The inaugural 2024 China-ASEAN E-sport Competition (CAEC) took place from 26 to 28 September in Nanning, China. The three-day event showcased a wealth of talented athletes and highlighted the growing influence of esports in China and Southeast Asian countries. 

The event kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring speeches by Mr. Xu Yongke, Executive Vice Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Mr. Kenneth Fok, AESF President; and Mr. Mario Ho, President of the Macau E-sports Federation.

In his speech, Mr. Kenneth Fok emphasized AESF’s strong relations with its Southeast Asian members, noting the rapid growth of esports in the region. He reaffirmed AESF’s commitment to promoting esports education and industry, aiming to facilitate knowledge exchange and communication opportunities within the esports community and ecosystem. He added, "Through the China-ASEAN Esports Industry Week, we can enhance the level of esports in Guangxi and Southeast Asia, build a stronger bridge for cultural exchange, and promote friendly relations between China and ASEAN." Mr. Fok also expressed his gratitude to the Nanning Government for their collaboration and support in strengthening regional cooperation.

Sanctioned by AESF, the competition underscored the federation’s dedication to advancing esports across Asia. AESF Director General Sebastian Lau officiated the opening of the competition.

The CAEC featured two game titles: Honor of Kings (HOK) and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB). A total of 19 teams participated, with 8 teams in HOK and 11 in MLBB. Notably, the MLBB event included three all-female teams from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, with Team Indonesia making an impressive run to the semi-finals. This representation promotes gender equality and diversity in esports and highlights the growing participation of women in the field.

In HOK, Team GX from Guangxi took first place, followed by Malaysia in second and the Philippines in third. In MLBB, Team Cambodia claimed victory, with Malaysia and Myanmar finishing second and third, respectively.

The prize money for the competition was RMB 50,000 for first place, RMB 20,000 for second place, and RMB 10,000 for third place in both game titles. All participants received certificates, while the champions were awarded medals.

On the sidelines of the event, there was a VR dodgeball exhibition game, providing an interactive experience for attendees and showcasing innovative gaming technology and the future of digital sports.