Athletes from the Pingtan Comprehensive Pilot Zone, Fujian province, have been given the authorization to compete as an independent team in provincial-level sports competitions, including next year's 15th Fujian Provincial Games. Previously, Pingtan athletes were affiliated to the Fuzhou city delegation.

The Fujian Sports Bureau has given its consent to Pingtan's independent participation, sources with the local cultural and sports bureau said on Monday.

The 15th Fujian Provincial Games will be held in Zhangzhou city in October 2014, and Pingtan athletes who wish to qualify for the games must participate in at least one provincial-level sports championships. Many Pingtan athletes are currently competing in provincial-level junior sports championships so as to qualify for next year's games.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman