Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Wang Jiayi, vice minister of education and vice president of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

Mr. Zhou Jinqiang, vice minister of the General Administration of Sport of China and vice president of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

Ms. Zheng Bei, vice governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province and vice president of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

Mr. Wang Fengchao, mayor of Chengdu Municipal People's Government, and vice president and secretary-general of the Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games

Chairperson:

Mr. Chen Wenjun, director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

April 19, 2023

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. In 100 days, the 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer World University Games will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan province. For today's press conference, we have invited four vice presidents of its organizing committee to meet with you, introduce preparations for the games, and answer your questions. The four vice presidents are Mr. Wang Jiayi, vice minister of education; Mr. Zhou Jinqiang, vice minister of the General Administration of Sport of China; Ms. Zheng Bei, vice governor of Sichuan province; and Mr. Wang Fengchao, mayor of Chengdu city.

Now, I will give the floor to Mr. Wang Jiayi.

Wang Jiayi:

Good morning, friends from the media. It's a pleasure to meet with all of you today, 100 days before the opening of the 31st FISU Summer World University Games. On behalf of its organizing committee and the Ministry of Education, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your long-term care, support and help.

The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games (Universiade) will be the first large-scale international sporting event held in an open manner in China since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It bears the concern and trust of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council and has garnered high attention from both domestic and international communities. The event serves as an important international sports competition and cultural celebration, as well as an important platform for promoting exchanges and integration among young university students around the world. I would now like to briefly introduce the three main reasons why this Universiade is of such significance.

First, this is a hard-earned Universiade. Since winning the bid to host the event in December 2018, Sichuan province and Chengdu city have put in a huge amount of hard work. Particularly over the past three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy and society, forcing the Chengdu Universiade to be postponed twice. Nevertheless, we have remained steadfast in our solemn commitment to the FISU and the world's young university students. We have invested significant manpower, as well as material and financial resources, adapted to the changing circumstances, overcome challenges and obstacles, and made every effort to prepare for the Universiade.

Second, this is a Universiade of great significance. Sport embodies the aspirations of nations and peoples for strength and prosperity, and young people are the hope for the future of nations and peoples. The Chengdu Universiade will create a platform for fair competition, communication and exchanges, enhancing understanding and developing friendship among young university students and sports professionals from all over the world. It will undoubtedly contribute to promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, advancing the building of a global community with a shared future, and creating a better future for the world.

Third, this is a Universiade destined to be truly spectacular. After four years of preparations, Chengdu has built exceptional venues and facilities, cultivated a rigorous and professional team to organize the games, and planned a variety of educational, cultural and sporting exchange activities. I believe that young university students from all over the world will not only have the opportunity to realize their personal sporting dreams here, but also have the opportunity to experience the international flair of charming Chengdu, the unique glamor of Sichuan, and Chinese culture. They will have a distinct and wonderful experience there, taking Chengdu as a window to get closer to China, understand China and comprehend China.

At the just-concluded spring meeting of delegation heads for the Chengdu Universiade, the FISU, as well as delegation heads from various countries, highly praised the preparations for the Chengdu Universiade. Let us all look forward to Chengdu delivering a "simple, safe and splendid" Universiade to the world.

Finally, we welcome friends from the media to continue to follow and participate in promoting the Chengdu Universiade.

Not long ago, I visited the news center of the Universiade, and it has been beautifully built. It is world-class and among the best of its kind globally. I welcome everyone to visit and cover the games from there. Thank you, everyone.