Liaoning was the sixth provincial level host of the games, following Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shandong.

The sports secretaries and officials from every province, municipality and autonomous region cast their votes in a secret ballot.

[2][3] The Lioaning organisers settled on a blue and white harbor seal called Ningning (Chinese: 宁宁) as the official mascot for the games.

Other cities involved in the games were Anshan, Benxi, Chaoyang, Dalian, Dandong, Fushun, Huludao, Jinzhou, Liaoyang, Panjin, Tieling and Yingkou.

A photo finish was needed for the women's 20 km walk and Lu Xiuzhi was declared the winner ahead of Liu Hong.