ShanghaiMay 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 30, the “Friendship Walk for Love” charity walking event organized by comfort technology company Skechers SKECHERS concluded warmly at Zhongshan Park in Licheng District, Quanzhou. Mr. Michael Chen, Partner of Skechers China and CEO of Skechers China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, attended the event and set off for love alongside on-site partners. With support from the Quanzhou Fashion Industry Alliance and the Licheng District government in Quanzhou, nearly 5,000 caring participants gathered in this World Heritage city, using their steps to support charity and their passion to paint a brighter future. This urban event, blending intangible cultural heritage, cultural tourism, sports, and philanthropy, added a warm and vibrant touch to the millennium-old city of Quanzhou.
World Heritage Backdrop, Citywide Celebration
Following the successful conclusion of the Shanghai leg, Skechers brought the global charity IP “Friendship Walk for Love” back to Quanzhou, centering on the “World Heritage Six-Color Walk” to create a distinctive walking experience rich in cultural heritage and philanthropic warmth. The event featured three participation formats: individual, family, and group categories, covering all age groups and catering to diverse needs such as solo challenges, parent-child outings, and team gatherings with friends, making it easy for every act of kindness to join in.
The walking route started and ended at Zhongshan Park in Licheng District, covering approximately 7 kilometers. It connected key cultural landmarks such as the Quanzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Theater, Bell Tower, Confucian Temple, and Tianhou Temple, allowing participants to experience the millennium-old World Heritage culture and the vibrant local life of southern Fujian with every step. The event kicked off with a spectacular intangible cultural heritage show, featuring cross-genre performances of Nanyin music, Five Ancestors Fist martial arts, and trendy street dance, blending ancient heritage techniques with contemporary elements. World racewalking champion and Skechers sports spokesperson Liu Hong led the walk with professional poise, guiding everyone forward for love. On-site highlights included a “Quanzhou Market” and a parent-child football fun zone, elevating the charity walk into an immersive urban carnival. Participants checked in at heritage sites along the way, savoring the charm and cultural allure of the ancient city while achieving an organic integration of “sports + cultural tourism + World Heritage” against a philanthropic backdrop.
Professional Products, Technology-Driven Support
In terms of professional support, Skechers, as a brand deeply rooted in comfort technology, provided full event gear. Each participant’s exclusive race kit included custom race apparel, a drawstring bag, and other items, along with a complimentary ticket voucher for the premium cultural tourism performance “Because of Citong,” a high-quality show with “Quanzhou Culture, International Expression” that allowed participants to experience the artistic charm of World Heritage Quanzhou. On-site, star products such as the Hyper Burst PRO running shoes, GO WALK 8 slip-on walking shoes, and Comfort Walker walking shoes were showcased, enabling participants to personally experience the walking comfort enabled by technology. Skechers’ JD.com Brand Day was also launched simultaneously, with brand sports spokesperson Liu Hong and signed athlete Liu Jingya appearing in a livestream, extending from the sports circle to everyday life, bringing comfort technology and philanthropic warmth to a broader consumer base.
To enrich the user experience, the brand specially set up a DIY Zanhua (flower headdress) experience area for members of the S-Club Skechers Comfort Club, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of southern Fujian culture. Every participant who completed the walk received the 2026 Skechers “Walk for Love” Quanzhou commemorative medal and a limited-edition “Citong Fireworks Energy Pack,” filled with representative southern Fujian flavors, capturing exclusive philanthropic memories of the World Heritage ancient city while spreading love.
Philanthropy in Action, Love Spread
Steps carry warmth, and love echoes back. At the event, a charity donation ceremony was successfully held, with Skechers China donating RMB 2 million to the Licheng District Charity Association, with the funds designated to support public welfare initiatives in Quanzhou. This charity walk not only rallied the power of social compassion but also embodied Skechers’ local commitment and brand warmth through a heartwarming practice of public participation and urban co-creation.
Mr. Michael Chen, Partner of Skechers China and CEO of Skechers China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, stated: “Since its introduction to China, ‘Friendship Walk for Love’ has always been an important vehicle for Skechers to fulfill its corporate social responsibility. Returning to our hometown of Quanzhou once again, we use sports as a medium, philanthropy as the core, and cultural tourism as the backdrop to preserve the ancient city’s heritage and spread goodwill among the people. In the future, Skechers will continue to implement its localization strategy of ‘Rooted in China, Win-Win Development,’ empowering nationwide sports with comfort technology, demonstrating corporate responsibility through concrete actions, and joining hands with more caring individuals to keep the steps of charity moving forward and the warmth of love enduring.”
Love in World Heritage, philanthropy without end. The successful conclusion of Skechers’ “Friendship Walk for Love” in Quanzhou marks another powerful practice of the brand’s deep local engagement and social responsibility. Looking ahead, Skechers will continue to uphold its philanthropic初心, connect with more cities and people, spread warmth through walking, empower society through action, and build a healthy, inclusive, and caring new ecosystem for charity.
About SKECHERS
Comfort technology company Skechers SKECHERS was founded in 1992 in Manhattan Beach, California, USA. It now operates sales channels in over 180 countries and regions worldwide, achieving record global sales of $8.97 billion in 2024, making it a Fortune 500 company. Since entering the Chinese market through a joint venture model in 2007, Skechers has experienced rapid growth, opening nearly 3,000 offline stores in mainland China and developing online sales channels across multiple e-commerce platforms.
As a globally renowned sports and lifestyle brand, Skechers offers footwear, apparel, and accessories for adults and children, covering professional sports, fashion trends, and casual lifestyles. Through innovative comfort technology products, it creates a comfortable, healthy, and free lifestyle for consumers of all ages, empowering everyone to embrace every moment of life with greater confidence.