China.org.cn | April 28, 2023
Chen Wenjun:
Thank you, Mr. Zhou. We now give the floor to Ms. Zheng.
Zheng Bei:
Dear friends from the media, good morning. First of all, I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to friends from the media for attending today's press conference, as well as other people from all walks of life who are interested in Sichuan's socioeconomic development.
Since Chengdu successfully bid for the 31st FISU World University Games in 2018, we have been preparing for the event under the strong leadership from the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, as well as comprehensive guidance and support from the Ministry of Education, the General Administration of Sports, and relevant departments. In accordance with the requirements of "simplicity, safety, and excellence," we have mobilized all of Sichuan province's resources to prepare for the games. At present, all preparations for the games are almost complete. Now, I'd like to brief you on our progress.
First, we have established a highly efficient collaborative work mechanism. Members of the organizing committee, including the Ministry of Education and the General Administration of Sport, have designated personnel to form a special task force working on-site in Chengdu. At the provincial level, a coordination group was established with the provincial Party secretary and governor serving as co-leaders and 47 provincial-level departments fully participating in strengthening overall coordination throughout the province. The Chengdu executive committee has been adhering to a flat management structure to promote high-quality and efficient progress in all aspects of the preparation work.
Second, we have built state-of-the-art competition venues. A total of 49 venues for the games were already put into operation in 2021. This year, these stadiums have once again undergone multiple tests to ensure they meet international competition standards. In May and June, a series of test events will be held to further optimize the functionality of these venues.
Third, we have planned diversified exchange programs for the upcoming event. During the games, we will host the Chengdu FISU World Conference , the 2023 Chengdu Biennale , and activities showcasing the Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Our goal is to provide a relaxing and delightful atmosphere for young people from all over the world to deepen mutual understanding and enhance friendships. In addition, we will offer various travel routes to visitors, including visits to world heritage sites, allowing them to experience the rich history, diverse culture, and beautiful landscapes of Sichuan.
Fourth, we have been improving our services that are meticulous and professional. We have engaged with all participating delegations to improve our services at the athletes' village. We have improved the entire service system, including those related to guests' arrival, accommodation, transportation, and other services. Our aim is to ensure that all participating delegations from around the world can have a comfortable stay, enjoy delicious food, and participate in the games with peace of mind. At the same time, we have recruited 20,000 volunteers for the games and received over 1.3 million applications for city volunteer services. We have also improved training for our service teams to ensure that they will provide warm and hospitable services throughout the games.
Recently, the spring meeting of the delegation heads for the World University Games was held in Chengdu. The FISU and delegations attending the meeting visited the competition venues and the athletes' village. They have reached a consensus on issues related to registration, visas, arrival, transportation, medical services, and more, and highly recognized our preparation work. The Chengdu Universiade will open in 100 days. We welcome friends from all over the world to Sichuan. We will be waiting for you in the hometown of the panda. Thank you!