Issam Kazim, chief executive officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing virtually attends the fitness event geared toward the press on Nov 25, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Kazim said the event was held to recognize China as an important source of tourists to Dubai. 2019 saw 989,000 Chinese tourists arrive in Dubai, up 15.5 percent compared with 2018, according to a report released by the Dubai Tourism office.

"As one of the first few cities in the world to restart the events sector and host major live events, Dubai continues to instill confidence among residents and visitors by organizing world-class events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge," said Kazim.

Launched in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, DFC is now in its fourth year. The DFC 2020, running from Oct 30 to Nov 28, featured more than 2,000 online and offline classes and sessions at 150 locations in Dubai, turning the city into a giant gym.

Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to China, speaks at the fitness event geared toward the press in Beijing on Nov 25, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]