Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech during the meeting with representatives of national advanced sports for all units and individuals, representatives of national advanced sports groups and individual workers, as well as representatives of athletes winning the mass events at the 13th National Games. (Xinhua/photographed by Li Xueren)

During his meeting with representatives of national advanced sports units and individuals, Xi stressed:

Create a new prospect for China's sports development, and Accelerate the building of China into a strong country in sports

On the occasion of the opening of the 13th National Games, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of China and Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech during his meeting with representatives of national advanced sports for all units and individuals, representatives of national advanced sports groups and individual workers, and representatives of athletes winning the mass events at the 13th National Games in Tianjin on the morning of 27 August. He stressed that sports carries the dream of national prosperity and national revitalisation. Strong sport contributes to a powerful China and national prosperity leads to sports prosperity. The development of sports work should be placed high on the agenda, planned elaborately and implemented vigorously, to open a new prospect for China's sports development and accelerate the building of China into a strong country in sports.

In the afternoon, the Conference Hall of Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview Hotel took on a warm atmosphere. The representatives attending the meeting were in high spirits, some in ethnic costume and some wearing glittering medals on their chests. At around 11 am, Xi and other leaders entered the Hall, arousing thunderous applause. He shook hands with the representatives, talked with them and had a photo with them.

In the warm applause, Xi delivered an important speech. On behalf of the Party Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, he first extended warm congratulations to the representatives and sincere greetings to all sports workers across the country. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the cause of Chinese sports has made great achievements, the fitness for all has developed prosperously, significant results has been achieved in competitive sports, sports reform has been deepened constantly and China has won the bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Everyone has made great efforts. As General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as a sports enthusiast, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you, Xi said to the representatives.

Xi pointed out:

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall closely link the dream of building a strong country in sports to the Chinese Dream,

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall adhere to the concept of everything for the people,

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall carry forward Chinese sports spirit and advocate sportsmanship,

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall make good preparations for Beijing 2022 Games and spare no efforts in all aspects of the preparatory work.

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall closely link the dream of building a strong country in sports to the Chinese Dream, integrate the cause of sports into the " Two Centenary Goals ", deepen sports reforms, update sports concepts, promote the coordinated development of sports for all, competitive sports and sports industry, Xi noted.

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall adhere to the concept of everything for the people, take people as the main stakeholder in sports development, take the satisfaction of people's fitness demands and promoting the all-round development of people as the basis of sports work, implement the fitness for all strategy and keep improving people's health. Incorporating mass sports into the National Games and engaging the people in the National Games will give a full play to the role of the National Games, Xi stressed.

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall carry forward Chinese sports spirit and promote sportsmanship, stand firm with confidence and make all-out efforts in enhancing the comprehensive strength of competitive sports, give a better play to the nationwide system, so as to make competitive sports develop better, faster, higher and stronger, and improve the ability to win honors for the country, and allow sports to contribute strong positive energy to the society, Xi pointed out.

To accelerate the building of a strong country in sports, we shall make good preparations for Beijing 2022 Games and spare no efforts in all aspects of the preparatory work, particularly in getting well prepared for the sports competitions of Beijing 2022 Games, and accelerating the popularization and improvement of winter sports, in a bid to deliver a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent edition of the Olympic Winter Games, Xi stressed.

At last, Xi noted that sports represent youth, health and vigor, and concerns the well-being of people and the future of the nation. With the 19th CPC National Congress to be convened soon, successful holding of the 13th National Games will create a favorable atmosphere for the success of the 19th CPC National Congress. He hopes that all comrades shall promote the constant progress of the cause of sports from a new starting point and make new achievements in the efforts of building China into a strong country in sports.

Wang Huning, Liu Yandong, Xu Qiliang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Chen, Lu Zhangong and other leaders were present.

National Recognition of the Advanced in Sports for All, held once four years, started from the 7th National Games in 1993 and has taken place during six editions of the National Games. During the 13th National Games, 3,259 national advanced units, 2,465 national advanced individuals, 70 national advanced groups and 44 national advanced individuals in the Sports for All Campaign were recognised.

(Reporter: Zhang Xiaosong/Gao Peng/Zhang Zewei)