The 2019 World Soft Tennis Championships is set to be held in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province in late October. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

The 2019 World Soft Tennis Championships is set to be held in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province in late October, a press conference said on May 16.

More than 500 athletes from 40 countries and regions across the world have registered in the event, making it the highest level international athletic competition ever held in the city.

Taizhou will also become the first city in China to hold such an event.

The choice of Taizhou as the host city is primarily because of its rich experiences in holding soft tennis games as well as high standard venues and supporting facilities, according to Lu Yincai, secretary general of the 16th World Soft Tennis Championships organizing committee.

According to Lu, Taizhou had hosted a series of high-profile soft tennis games before, which including "China Cup" International Soft Tennis Game and ITF International Soft Tennis Tournament.

The city is also home to a national tennis training base, with venues and facilities meeting the requirements of top-tier international games.

Zhang Haixing, deputy secretary-general of the Taizhou municipal people's government, said that holding such a game will further enhance its global recognition and influence and play a positive role in boosting the city’s long-term social and economic growth.

At the press conference, the emblem and mascots of the 16th World Soft Tennis Championships were also officially unveiled.