In the hot August, Shenzhen where the 26th Universiade will be held is immersed in a joyous atmosphere. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Chinese President Hu Jintao hosted a banquet in Shenzhen at noon, August 12, 2011, to extend warm welcome to the VIPs who will attend the opening ceremony and other activities of the Shenzhen Universiade.

Hu's wife Liu Yongqing, President of the International University Sports Federation George Killian and other distinguished guests from 20 countries and regions in the world were present at the banquet.

The InterContinental Hotel Shenzhen is decorated with lanterns, festoons and blooming flowers. At 11:45am, Hu and his wife received at the gate of the ballroom the heads of state and government of foreign countries, regional leaders and representatives of international organizations who will attend the opening ceremony and other activities of the Universiade, shaking hands and exchanging greetings with them.

The banquet started at around 12:00.

Hu delivered a speech amid enthusiastic applauses.

He said that the 26th Universiade will open in Shenzhen tonight. Since being initiated in 1959, the Universiade has been committed to developing college sports and promoting international solidarity and cooperation. It has played an important role of strengthening the mutual understanding and friendship of youth worldwide and boosting the progress of international youth sports.

At the Universiade, young students from different countries and with different nationalities and religious beliefs will engage in friendly exchanges and positive interactions. Diversified cultures will converge, the seed of friendship will be sowed and the belief of cooperation will be gathered there. It is exactly the charm and true meaning of the Universiade.

Shenzhen is the youngest major city in China. Being full of vitality, it is an important window for observing contemporary China. It is believed that the 26th Universiade will by all means be a distinctive and high-level event and write a glorious chapter in the history of the Universiade, Hu stressed.

Executive President of the Organizing Committee of the Universiade and Governor of Guangdong Province Huang Huahua chaired the banquet.

Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza, Bolivian President Evo Morales, Fiji's President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova attended the banquet.

Other participants include Liu Yunshan, Liu Yandong, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Chen Changzhi, Meng Jianzhu, Dai Bingguo, Luo Fuhe and Li Jinai.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang and Chief Executive of the Macau Special Administrative Region Chui Sai On also attended the banquet.

Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Lien Chan was present at the banquet.