AIA will also be activating the partnership through several Chinese cities through TTX events as well as other table tennis activities to promote its brand through table tennis.

ITTF CEO Steve DAINTON stated: “We are happy to welcome AIA, the largest public listed pan-Asian life insurance group, as a partner of the China Open. Their support attests to the continued high profile of table tennis in China, and the ITTF platform is ideal for AIA to promote their brand to a global audience through extensive TV broadcast, local spectators and global social media.”

CEO of AIA China, ZHANG Xiaoyu shared “Table tennis is the national sport of China, it’s one of the most popular and common sport amongst people here. Through partnering with the 2018 ITTF China Open, AIA hopes to encourage people to pursue a healthier and active lifestyle, and to work hand in hand to live healthier, longer and better lives.”

“Shenzhen has been the youngest and liveliest technological city since the reform, and there’s always a special feeling and sense of mission towards table tennis. We hope that through the sponsorship of the China Open, we can enjoy the glory that our national sport brings, to witness its succession, and achieve healthier, longer and better lives together with the people here in Shenzhen,” added AIA Shenzhen’s General Manager CAI Wei Bing.

The AIA deal comes on the back of a strong commercial start to the year for the ITTF after already announcing partnership deals with British Airways and GoDaddy, with more to be announced in the upcoming weeks.

The Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open is the third of six ITTF World Tour Platinum events in 2018, which is the top tier of the ITTF World Tour with the most prize money and world ranking points. Together with the six regular ITTF World Tour events, players compete to earn World Tour Standings points to be one of top 16 to qualify for the one-million-dollar World Tour Grand Finals in December.