According to the International Motorboat Association, a permanent venue for the World F1 Motorboat Championship has been established in Shenzhen in southern China on Monday. [Photo: CNS]

A permanent venue for the World F1 Motorboat Championship has been established in southern China's Shenzhen.

A senior official of the General Administration of Sports, Xin Qunying, says he believes the motorboat sport will be welcomed by the Chinese people.

"The F1 motorboat race contest is a sports event featuring a competitive edge, which is highly enjoyable and thrilling. So I believe within a few years, it will be more and more popular among the public of China."

Like the F1 of motor racing, the World F1 Motorboat Championship is run as a series, with 10 stops each year around the world, including three in Asia.

The World F1 Motorboat Championship of China, will be held in Shenzhen in late October. Previously, the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Hangzhou have held the championship.