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.
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Chen Wenjun:
Thank you, Mr. Wang. Now, let's welcome Mr. Zhou Jinqiang for his brief introduction.
Zhou Jinqiang:
Friends from the media, good morning. We are now just 100 days away from the opening of the Chengdu Universiade, and preparations have entered the final stage. Competition organization is key to the success of the event, and is currently the primary focus of our preparations. Thanks to the efforts made in the early stages, phased tasks for the competition organization work for the Chengdu Universiade have been smoothly completed. Now, I would like to update you on the competition organization work.
First, the competition organization team has been assembled and established.
The Ministry of Education and the General Administration of Sport have jointly put together a team of core personnel to carry out the competition organization work for the Chengdu Universiade. They are responsible for providing professional guidance and technical supervision in terms of venue equipment, facilities, registration and scheduling. This March, we convened a special meeting on the competition organization work in Beijing. At the end of this month, we will hold another meeting to clarify the competition organization team's work requirements, review the competition organization's progress and the coordination with venue teams for each project, and ensure that the universal competition policy is implemented at the venue level. Furthermore, we have selected 1,077 domestic technical officials to work alongside international counterparts to complete the competition refereeing and organizational management tasks, among others.
Second, the in-competition organization system has been established.
The in-competition organizational system has been established, with the teams responsible for the venues serving as the backbone and the organizing committee, committees for each division, and venue teams collaborating closely and efficiently. The operation and emergency response plans for the command and coordination center have been finalized, and the center has been undergoing trial operations since March 3. Prior to the opening ceremony, we will conduct a series of test contests to get prepared for real games and improve our organizational work and command system so as to ensure smooth and efficient operation.
Third, test events are progressing in an orderly manner.
The Chengdu Universiade underwent a lengthy preparation period due to postponement. As early as 2021, we organized 17 single national games as test events to evaluate the organization and operation of the games as well as the logistical services. During these events, we identified a list of problems and continued to optimize our work. In early June, we will conduct comprehensive rehearsals and tests for the entire games' progress to ensure that the goals, standards, and needs of the games will be met during the event. We will test and check out the operation of venues, equipment, and command centers to further enhance our operational capabilities.
Fourth, registration for the games is underway.
Registration for the Chengdu Universiade is divided into four stages: intentional registration, pre-registration, group registration, and individual registration. Currently, we are in the group registration stage, and we are committed to providing excellent services to welcome young athletes from around the world to Chengdu. At the same time, we are actively working on logistical services for the delegations that have already registered for the games, providing detailed information about procedures for arrival and departure, accommodations, dining, training, and competition to ensure that those procedures proceed smoothly and on schedule.
That concludes my update on the preparations for the Chengdu Universiade. We invite the media to provide coverage and support for the event. Thank you for your attention.
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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!
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Chen Wenjun:
Thanks to Ms. Zheng Bei. I will give the floor to Mr. Wang Fengchao.
Wang Fengchao:
Ladies and gentlemen, and friends from the media, good morning! There are 100 days to go before the grand opening of the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu. This will be the first comprehensive international sports event held in western China. Since Chengdu won the bid to host the event, we have thoroughly acted upon General Secretary Xi Jinping's major expositions on sports and fully implemented the requirement of holding a "simple, safe, and splendid" event. In pursuit of excellence through constant improvement, we have spared no effort to push forward the preparation work and strived to present to the world a grand event for youth with unique charms and splendors.
First, we have made every effort to improve the facilities. We have been committed to the idea of whole-process organization of the games and promoted efficient and intensive use of resources and sustainable development. A total of 36 venues were reconstructed from existing venues, which will all be open to citizens when they are not occupied by matches. We will widely apply the environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient, smart, and intelligent technologies in catering, accommodation, transportation, training, and competitions and make an overall plan to manage the Universiade heritage so as to continue to deliver the comprehensive benefits of the games.
Second, we have comprehensively strengthened the organization of the games and ensured cultural exchanges. The general schedule and regulations concerning 18 major events and 269 minor events have been revised and issued. The selection and dispatch of technical committee chairs, and competition directors and managers have been completed. We are working on identifying gaps, improving weaknesses, and optimizing the organization of the games by means of table-top exercises and actual practices. We have made preparations for major events such as the opening and closing ceremony and the torch relay and will organize a city experience tour to visit the Jinsha Ruins site and the Dujiangyan irrigation system to create platforms for university students to enhance friendship and build bridges for mutual learning and exchanges between different cultures.
Third, we have upheld the principle of hosting the games, managing the city, and benefiting the people throughout the whole process. We have made extensive efforts to carry out cultural, sports, entertaining and sightseeing activities to present a dynamic and vibrant Chengdu, and advanced development of various areas and organic renovation and upgrading to improve the function, quality, and image of the city on all fronts. People have widely participated in public fitness programs, with 9.4 million people regularly exercising throughout the city. The Universiade has brought more vitality and meaning to Chengdu, "a park city at the foot of snow mountains and a prosperous city full of happiness."
Hello, friends from the media. Chengdu is one of the first national historical and cultural cities in China. It is an open, pluralistic city with vitality and vigor. It is constructing a park city demonstration zone that embodies the new development concept. At present, over 21 million citizens in Chengdu are enthusiastically anticipating this great event. We sincerely invite friends from all over the world to meet in Chengdu and make their dreams come true. They can enjoy the games, make friends, and personally experience the charm of the city. Whoever visits Chengdu will not want to leave and will want to come back again to visit. Thank you.
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Chen Wenjun:
Thanks to Mr. Wang Fengchao. Now the floor is open for questions. Please identify your media outlet before raising your questions.
The Poster News APP:
The Universiade is a comprehensive world games second only to the Olympic Games in scale and is a sports event representing the highest level of competition among university students from around the world. How will the Chengdu Universiade promote the competition of athletic skills, exchanges, and interactions among the global youth?
Wang Jiayi:
Thank you to this reporter for your question. The mission of the Universiade is to improve the level of global university sport, promote exchanges and cooperation among university students of all countries, and enhance understanding and friendship. It is not only a sports stage for global youth to compete with each other in terms of athletic skills and improve their level of competition but also an educational platform for youth to communicate and interact with each other and broaden their international horizons. Given that the Chengdu Universiade arrives following three years defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, university students from around the world have stronger aspirations for such kind of exchanges.
The Chengdu Universiade will make full arrangements for carrying out global youth exchanges and interactions. Currently, we are formulating and improving a special plan for cultural exchanges. Based on the guiding principle of organizing diverse activities that are fashionable and cater to the taste of young people, provide them with enough cultural experience, and promote shared prosperity of all civilizations, we have come up with the arrangements for a series of activities to facilitate the exchanges of global university students in terms of sports, science and technology, culture, and innovation. During the Universiade, we will hold an art exhibition featuring the park city of Chengdu in the Universiade Village, as well as intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and experience activities, Chinese and international youth interaction activities themed on music, dance, and Sichuan Opera, and exchange activities, including getting close to watch giant pandas and visiting city museums to experience the culture of the city. Chengdu also has Sanxingdui Ruins site and Chengdu delicacies, which are quite popular among university students. All these can demonstrate the unique culture of the host country and host city and better promote in-depth exchanges and interactions among the global youth.
At the same time, as an important part of the events during the Universiade, the FISU World Conference and other academic exchange events will also be held. Themed "University Sports: Embracing a Colorful World," sports-centered academic exchange and discussion events will be organized in various forms, including oral reports on specific subjects, expert forums, round-table discussions, and group discussions.
We will take the Universiade as an opportunity, and leverage the Universiade website as a platform to launch a column for young reporters. Focusing on topics of concern among contemporary university students, we will widely mobilize global university students to carry out exchanges and interaction and encourage them to contribute to the organization of the Universiade, the spread of diverse cultures, and friendly exchanges between China and other countries to jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future for global youth. Thank you.
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CRNTT:
I have two questions. First, the 31st FISU World University Games is the first world-class multi-sport event to be held in western China. As a western province; does Sichuan meet the requirements for convenient arrivals of athletes and related staff? Second, how can hosting the Universiade further enhance the level of opening-up and cooperation?
Zheng Bei:
Thanks for your questions. They are of great significance. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and the provincial government have committed to deepening opening up and cooperation and actively served and integrated this goal into the country's new pattern of development. Leveraging the Chengdu Universiade as an opportunity, we have accelerated the building of a comprehensive transport network and have been moving to the forefront of opening-up from an inland province.
First, we have accelerated the construction of corridors for opening-up. With the opening of the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, Chengdu has become the third city in the Chinese mainland to have two international airports, providing access to 131 international and regional air routes. In addition, Sichuan province now has 42 high-speed railways and expressways. The once-difficult road to Shu is now a thing of the past in Sichuan. The connected transportation has been fully realized, and we are striving to advance building a smooth transportation network. We have also opened green channels for the Chengdu Universiade to ensure athletes and friends from around the world can arrive and depart quickly and conveniently.
Second, we have enhanced international exchanges and cooperation. There are 23 approved consular organizations established in Sichuan province. Chengdu now boasts the third-most consulates after Shanghai and Guangzhou. It has established economic and trade ties with over 220 countries and regions. There are more than 5,300 foreign companies in Sichuan province, 337 of which are among the world's top 500. The circle of friends with whom Sichuan can communicate and cooperate has continued to grow.
Third, we have created new strengths for opening-up. Seizing the opportunities presented by the convergence and superposition of national strategies in Sichuan, including the Belt and Road initiative, the development of new land-sea transit routes for the western region, and the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone, we have vigorously promoted opening-up to the west and south. The number of China-Europe freight trains from Chengdu and Chongqing has accounted for more than 30% of the country's total. The number of rail-sea intermodal trains from Sichuan to the Beibu Gulf Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has increased by more than 30% for two consecutive years. We will take the Chengdu Universiade as an opportunity to enhance exchanges and cooperation with other countries in the world and share development opportunities with them to pursue opening-up and cooperation on a larger scale, in broader areas, and at a deeper level. Thank you.
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21st Century Business Herald:
The Chengdu Universiade is the first major international event to take place after China adjusted its COVID-19 response measures. Tens of thousands of athletes and spectators from various countries and regions are expected to gather in Chengdu. What facilitation arrangements will be provided to them? How can tickets be purchased for the games? What advice do you have for watching the games? Thank you.
Wang Fengchao:
Thank you for your questions. In order to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved, the organizing committee has meticulously organized and prepared the following the open approach. All events in the venues that have suitable watching conditions will be fully open for ticket sales, allowing the public to watch the event on site.
Based on ticket operation plans and communication and coordination with the FISU, we plan to fully launch ticket sales in early June. Related ticketing information will be published on the games' official channels. Close attention from the public and the media are welcome.
For on-site viewing, we will set up audience service information desks, baby stroller storage areas, wheelchair rental services, medical care stations, nursing rooms, accessible entrances, and restrooms to effectively meet the various needs of the audience. Meanwhile, a bilingual guide for watching events in both Chinese and English will be provided. The section on "About Chengdu Universiade Tickets" introduces ticket knowledge, holder instructions, and common ticketing problems; the "Must-Read for Audience" section highlights transportation services, venue facilities, services, special tips, and rules for viewing events; the "How to Get to the Venues" section emphasizes the venue index, Universiade venues, and the supporting facilities around the venues, and the "Experience Chengdu Culture" section focuses on Chengdu's scenic spots and attractions rated 4A or above, famous cultural sites and museums, and new urban economic development landmarks. All these aim to bring audiences a safe, efficient, convenient, and comfortable viewing experience. Thank you.
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Science and Technology Daily:
The Chengdu Universiade is the first university games supported by 5G technology. We know that a satellite called Dayun was sent into space last year. Can you brief us on other smart elements and high-tech means related to the Universiade? How will they make the preparation for the games smarter and make the games fairer and more just? Thank you.
Wang Fengchao:
Thank you for your questions. Taking the Universiade venues as an example, there are three venues at Dong'an Lake Sports Park, including a multi-purpose gymnasium, an aquatics center, and a comprehensive ball games gymnasium. The "BIM technology + smart construction site" cockpit system was adopted throughout their construction in order to realize the smart construction of these large-scale venues, resulting in intensive and compact space structure, improved efficiency, and reduced energy. The multifunctional use of venues has been realized, which means that we can convert an ice hockey rink to a basketball court in 4 to 6 hours. Fenghuangshan Sports Park has been equipped with an intelligent navigation system and an intelligent security assistance service system to provide indoor positioning navigation, real-time positioning guidance navigation, and one-click rescue services.
At the same time, we will install smart robots at key venues, such as the special waiter Rongbao, named after the Games' mascot, which is the first robot in the world to feature emergency handling functions. It's equipped with a first-aid kit, defibrillator, and other medical tools and offers services like face identification, temperature measurement, and multi-language translation.
We also developed an app entitled "Chengdu FISU Games" to offer three kinds of services, namely, competition participation, competition watching, and life services. The competition participation sector can provide a VR guide to the Universiade Village, realize activity appointments, and publish catering, transportation, and weather information. The competition watching sector includes the history of the Universiade as well as an introduction to competition items and the schedule, ticket purchases, competition schedule and results consultation, and live broadcasts of key events. The life service sector includes an online tour of Chengdu city, financial services, online shopping, and departure tax refund services. Thank you.
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CCTV:
What's the current progress of the formation of China's delegation? What can we expect regarding the competition's results? Thank you.
Wang Jiayi:
Thank you for your question. This is a question of common concern among college students.
China has always placed great emphasis on exchanges and cooperation with the FISU and has actively taken part in various competitions it has held around the world. As the host country of this session of the Universiade, we have received a lot of attention and high expectations. Under the support of the General Administration of Sport, the formation of the delegation has made smooth progress. I will share with you in three aspects:
First, we will strive to take part in all the competition items. The Chengdu Universiade features 18 sports, all of which we will attend. In addition, we will try to participate in all the events. Currently, there are over 800 delegates, among whom there are some 500 athletes.
Second, the athlete selection is well underway. Following the principle of openness, fairness, and impartiality, we select competitors via competitions and take into account character, willpower, and overall strength.
Third, preparations are proceeding at full steam. Intensified training will be organized in a planned way, targeting 18 sports so as to fulfill high-level preparations and achieve great results during the competition. At the same time, we will conduct zero-tolerance anti-doping work. As China is the host country, we should perform well and in a clean manner.
One thing that I should point out is that the Chengdu Universiade is not only a stage for sports competitions but also a communication platform and an opportunity to showcase the comprehensive quality and spirit among Chinese college students. The Chinese delegation will enhance competition and communication with athletes from other countries at the stadium. We expect to realize a harvest of both competition results and morality and showcase an appealing, amiable, and respectable Chinese image. Thank you.
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Zhejiang Daily:
Anti-doping is an important part of holding top-level international competitions. Could you please brief us on the anti-doping work of the Chengdu Universiade?
Zhou Jinqiang:
The Organising Committee of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games has placed great emphasis on anti-doping work, made testing plans in accordance with technical standards and requirements of the FISU. With accreditation from the World Anti-Doping Agency, the testing will be conducted by a Beijing anti-doping laboratory . By now, the work plans of the control guidelines, publicity, and education, as well as sample transfers, have been formulated. The doping test, anti-doping education, and risk control of food-borne doping are all well underway. The FISU has expressed satisfaction and given a good appraisal of our country's capacity and experience of anti-doping work in comprehensive sports events.
Here are some specific highlights.
First, regarding doping testing, the Chengdu Universiade will conduct doping tests throughout all sports categories. By now, we have completed three rounds of doping control station acceptance tests, which have all met the requirements. During the competition, we will dispatch 78 doping control inspectors to conduct the work. The Chengdu Universiade has introduced some trials on doping tests. It will conduct paperless tests through the China Doping Intelligent Management Platform following the frugality principle; it will, for the first time in the history of the Universiade, conduct dried blood spot tests through advanced scientific techniques and stringent procedure control measures to create a fair and clean competition environment for athletes.
Second, so as to promote anti-doping education, the Chengdu Universiade will establish anti-doping education stations at the Universiade Village to provide Q&A sessions, video studies, and cultural demonstrations to guide athletes, trainers, and service team members to proactively increase their anti-doping knowledge and awareness. At the same time, we will also create a clean, pure, and positive atmosphere during intense competitions through the stations and related education and publicity activities.
Third, concerning the prevention and control of foodborne doping risks, the organizing committee adheres to the principle of "prioritizing prevention, risk management and controlling processes." The committee will strictly implement food safety requirements for large-scale sports events, strengthen oversight over the entire food chain, strictly control the processes, and eliminate food safety and foodborne doping incidents. This approach will ensure the cleanliness and purity of the Universiade. Thank you.
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CETV:
Major international events cannot be held without the efforts of volunteers. The public is paying close attention to the recruitment of volunteers for Chengdu Universiade. How is the recruitment of volunteers progressing, including the number and proportion of college students involved and the scope of schools participating? What special training programs have been arranged for the event's needs? Thank you.
Wang Fengchao:
Thanks for your questions. The Universiade has recruited more than 20,000 volunteers, including professional volunteers providing services in areas such as language, competitions, award ceremonies, and flag-raising ceremonies. Recruitment was completed in March, and the volunteers are from 34 different universities.
They are currently undergoing general knowledge training, including 60 courses such as foreign affairs, international etiquette, oral communication skills, and civilized etiquette. The training is mainly conducted online, including testing. Volunteers who pass the tests will undergo an eight-day offline intensive training program to further improve their abilities. They will provide services in a series of test events in May and June and those who meet the requirements will thereafter begin their work.
During the recently concluded Heads of Delegation Meeting (HoD Meeting), over 200 volunteers from 10 universities in Chengdu impressed the FISU officials and delegation members with their warm service, friendly attitude, professionalism, and fluency in multiple languages.
At the same time, we have launched the "Partnership Plan" for urban volunteer services, striving to create a strong atmosphere where "everyone is a volunteer." Over 1 million urban volunteers are expected to participate in publicizing the host city and the sports events, and providing other volunteer services. Volunteers of Chengdu Universiade are affectionately nicknamed "little green peppers." As the "image spokesperson" of the city, these volunteers will present Chengdu to the world with warm-hearted and thoughtful services, spreading the Tianfu culture that boasts amity and charity. Thank you.
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Cover News:
Sports are an important way for young people to grow up healthily and improve their overall quality of life. How will Sichuan province use the Universiade as an opportunity to promote the healthy development of young people and sports in the province? Thank you.
Zheng Bei:
This is a very good question. The upcoming 31st FISU World University Games will be the first large-scale international sports event to be held in western China. Perhaps most importantly, it presents a significant opportunity to encourage Sichuan youth to participate in sports and promote their all-round and healthy growth. With this objective in mind, we have prioritized the following tasks:
First, we have actively created a strong sports atmosphere. We have extensively organized a series of sports activities such as basketball, volleyball, table tennis and sports exchange activities among the youth in Sichuan province and Chongqing municipality, aiming to create a unique event IP so that more young people can enjoy the fun of physical exercise, improve their health and exercise their willpower. We have also organized college volunteers to travel to different parts of the province to conduct sports training activities and encourage more young people to love sports. This is an important task we have undertaken.
Second, we have comprehensively deepened the integration of sports and education. We have organized professional athletes to participate in sports classes in various schools, encouraged more outstanding retired athletes to serve as school sports coaches, and promote Universiade sports on campuses to enhance young people's enthusiasm for participating in sports. The "Gongga Cup" Youth Campus Sports League has been held in our province for three consecutive years. We aim to promote "frequent training" through "regular competition," which will enhance students' interest in improving their sports skills.
Third, we have steadily moved forward with opening the venues of the Universiade to the public and have taken actions to benefit the people. Just now, Mr. Wang said in his introduction that the venues and facilities of the Universiade have been open to the public for free or at a low cost. By doing so, we have brought more campus-based sporting events, PE classes, and daily training to these venues, enabling young people to appreciate the charm of Universiade culture and inspiring their vitality and enthusiasm for sports. Thank you.
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Hong Kong Bauhinia Magazine:
The post-game operations, maintenance, and utilization of large sports venues is a world-level challenge for event organizers. Will these venues later be open to citizens? The Universiade has improved national fitness. How will Chengdu increase people's sense of fulfillment and happiness by hosting the Games? Thank you.
Wang Fengchao:
Thank you for your questions. Since the beginning of preparation, we have stayed committed to the vision that the Chengdu Universiade will be inclusive and a benefit to the people. We have comprehensively implemented public-interest initiatives in terms of venue utilization, sports promotion, cultural activities, and environmental improvement to make the Universiade "a project of the heart" that improve people's well-being.
In terms of venue utilization, we have taken measures to ensure that all qualified venues will be open to the public and undertake sporting events. The list of venues with tailored policy support has been dynamically updated to benefit the people, and various experience-based day activities, such as Fitness Day and Sharing Day, have been held there. In 2022, the venues were open to the public for nearly 80,000 hours free of charge or at a low price. More than 5.09 million people visited these venues, and 727 sporting events were held there. All these have promoted extensive public fitness activities in Chengdu.
In terms of sports promotion, we have changed spare spaces in urban parks and communities into high-quality sporting spaces to increase urban vitality. We have also built neighborhood fitness facilities and communities that feature various sports, finished training of over 1,000 community fitness instructors, and held more than 6,400 events, including community sports festivals, to let more citizens enjoy fitness and happiness brought by sports.
In terms of cultural activities, we have planned and launched various public events and cultural exchange events to ensure all citizens can participate in and enjoy the Universiade. We have held music weeks and art exhibitions and carried out more than 5,000 Universiade-themed exhibitions, performances, and publicity events in communities and campuses. Amid a campaign to build role models for nationally civilized cities, Chengdu has encouraged its citizens to study foreign languages and etiquette. Under such circumstances, we have promoted an app called "U-translate" to help facilitate citizen's communication with the world.
In terms of environmental improvement, we have given prominence to the nature of Chengdu as a "park city" and have been prepared to host a green and low-carbon Games. We have added a special zone called "Low-carbon Universiade" to the Tanhuitianfu app and encouraged market entities and citizens to contribute to the achievement of carbon neutrality targets during the Games. We have also improved the sports and leisure facilities in Chengdu's municipal parks and enhanced the service capacity of the Dong'an Lake Sports Park. Camping in parks and watching the sunrise on the top of Longquan Mountain have already become new leisure trends in Chengdu.
We sincerely welcome friends from around the world to visit Chengdu, where a strong atmosphere of fitness and fashion has been formed. Together with Chengdu residents, they will enjoy a healthy and happy life brought about by the World University Games. Thank you.
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Chen Wenjun:
The last question.
Red Star News:
A successful sporting event will help promote the vision and spirit of the sports. What are the visions laid out by the organizers of the Chengdu Universiade? What are your considerations for improving national fitness by hosting the Universiade and integrating sports with city development? Thank you.
Wang Fengchao:
Thank you for your questions. The organizers of the Chengdu Universiade have followed a principle of presenting a streamlined, safe, and splendid Games, which is demonstrated throughout the whole preparation process. While focusing on the Universiade's preparation, we have strengthened national fitness campaigns through various activities. We have launched an action to "Meet the Most Beautiful Sport," introduced several themed routes for outdoor recreational sports, created 100 sports consumption demonstration scenarios, and provided free or low-price tickets and 10,000 sports coupons for the public's benefit. By doing so, we have encouraged citizens to visit urban parks and the Tianfu Greenway, inspired their enthusiasm for national fitness campaigns, and fostered an atmosphere of leisure and sports in the city. When the Universiade come to Chengdu, its sport spirit will integrate into the city's Tianfu culture, which features amiability, optimism, openness, and inclusiveness, and together they will forge the city's spirit of greater strength and resilience. Thank you.
Chen Wenjun:
Thank you to all the speakers and friends from the media. Today's press conference concludes here. Goodbye.
Translated and edited by Zhang Rui, Wang Wei, Guo Yiming, Ma Yujia, Xu Kailin, Liu Sitong, Yang Xi, Li Huiru, Mi Xingang, Yuan Fang, Xiang Bin, Huang Shan, Li Xiao, David Ball, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.
