A welcoming ceremony is held upon the arrival of Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye (not pictured) in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province, July 28, 2023, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

CHENGDU - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called for boosting solidarity through sports to gather positive energy for the world to jointly address global challenges and build a better future through cooperation.

Xi Jinping expressed his hope that young people from around the world will take the opportunity of the Chengdu Universiade to enhance mutual understanding and inject new impetus into human progress

Xi made the remarks while addressing a welcoming banquet ahead of the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan province.

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Xi said China has earnestly delivered on its solemn promise to ensure the smooth running of the Chengdu Universiade, thus contributing to the development of international youth sports cause. China welcomes all guests to experience and share the fruits of Chinese modernization.

The president also stressed the need to deepen exchanges and mutual learning, and called for efforts to promote the shared values of humanity and the building of a human community with a shared future.

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He expressed his hope that young people from around the world will take the opportunity of the Chengdu Universiade to enhance mutual understanding and inject new impetus into human progress.