This study investigates the development of rowing in China from 1980 to 2024 through the framework of cultural capital theory, focusing on its material, symbolic, and institutional dimensions. Using a political economy perspective, the research draws upon policy documents and diverse statistical sources to examine how rowing has been shaped by state agendas, market forces, and educational institutions. The findings reveal that national narratives such as the Grand Canal and Chinese heritage were used to recontextualize rowing within a postcolonial framework. Although this helped to legitimize the sport domestically, it did not disrupt the global institutional dominance maintained by international governing bodies. Government investment and regulatory controls strengthened domestic structures and facilitated rapid growth. However, this approach also produced a parallel structure in which participation expanded locally while access to international platforms remained limited. At the same time, commercial enterprises appropriated rowing’s elite associations through exclusive clubs and targeted branding strategies. This reinforced social divisions and restricted the sport’s accessibility. Educational institutions, particularly universities and youth programs, became central to the transmission of cultural knowledge related to rowing, further reproducing social hierarchies across generations. The limited coordination between state policies and market practices created growing tension between popular access and elite exclusivity, reducing the sport’s contribution to national health and fitness initiatives. This research contributes new empirical insight into how cultural capital in sport evolves within emerging economies and argues for reforms that promote inclusion through better policy alignment, regulatory adjustments, and stronger civic engagement.