Chinese President Xi Jinping officially opened the 31st FISU World University Games on Friday evening at Dong’an Lake Sports Park Stadium in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
The Chengdu Games, which will run from July 28 to August 8, are the first multi-sport event to be held in China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 10,000 athletes and officials from 170 countries and regions are participating in the Games, which feature 18 sports and 269 medal events.
President Xi welcomed the guests and athletes to Chengdu and expressed his hope that the Games would promote friendship, solidarity and mutual understanding among young people from different countries and regions. He also praised the efforts of the organizers, volunteers and medical workers to ensure a safe and successful event.
President Xi also hosted a banquet in Chengdu to welcome the foreign leaders who attended the opening ceremony, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene. He said that China was willing to work with other countries to deepen cooperation in various fields and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
The opening ceremony of the Chengdu Games featured a spectacular show of lights, music and dance that showcased the rich culture and history of Sichuan Province and China. The theme of the ceremony was “Dreams in Bloom”, reflecting the aspirations of the young generation to pursue excellence and happiness.