The “Yachts Heading Together in 2008” launching ceremony was held at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in the Qingdao International Marina. Leaders from the Qingdao municipal government: Xia Geng, Wang Wei, Zang Aimin, Xing Houren and Wang Xiulin, together with Li Quanhai, vice-director of National Water Sports Administration, spoke at the ceremony.
With the opportunity of holding the 2008 Olympic Regatta, the Qingdao municipal government has promoted a youth sailing sports program named “Double Thousand”. According to local authorities Qingdao will establish 39 schools with a sailing sports curriculum, set up 100 "student sailing clubs", bring up 1000 youth sailing talents and inivite society to donate 1000 yachts for youth sailing.
During the ceremony, Li Quanhai announced that Qingdao has become the only national model city for “China Youth Sailing Sports Promotion and Popularization”. The local Municipal Government leaders also unveiled the second batch of 23 schools with a sailing sports curriculum. Xia Geng, vice secretary of the municipal party committee, mayor of Qingdao city made an announcement that one million Qingdao students will join the “Yachts Heading Together in 2008” program.
After the ceremony, municipal government leaders listened to the reports on 2007 Qingdao International Regatta Closing Ceremony given by SSCQD. Then, they then performed site inspection at sailing center.