China Universiade Opening Ceremony

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games with the foreign leaders on Friday in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Xi extended a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests coming to China and attending the Games. The national flag of China was escorted into the venue and raised at the opening ceremony to the playing of China's national anthem.

The Universiade runs from July 28 to Aug. 8, with athletes competing in 269 events across 18 sports. Chengdu becomes the third city on the Chinese mainland to host the biennial Summer Universiade, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

The Universiade is a celebration of international university sports and culture, and brings together thousands of student-athletes, making it one of the world's largest multi-sport events.