A letter to athletes and guests worldwide participating in the 26th Summer Universiade

Distinguished guests,

In this glamorous August, we gather together in Shenzhen for this wonderful meeting for global youngsters. The city of youth is ready to give you a warm hug!

As Chinese famous philosopher Confucius said,"it is always a pleasure to have friends from afar."

In early mid Neolithic Age that was over 6,700 years ago, some residents started their life here. Here is a place bordering Hong Kong that is the vanguard of cultural exchanges between China and Western countries. As a key city of Chinese economy and national innovation city, it is a place with high percentage of green area coverage, it is also among the best 500 cities of UN environmental protection.

This is Shenzhen, a land filled with vim and vigor.

Advocated by the late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping who initiated China's reform and opening-up 31 years ago, Shenzhen was founded as the very first special economic zone in China. Now it has transformed from a fishing village to a modern metropolis.

This is a city of innovation and a city of design. In 《Forbes》 China edition "2010 Most Innovative Cities on the Chinese Mainland", Shenzhen ranks the first in the selection. A large number of high-tech enterprises such as Huawei, ZTE, Tecent, and BYD all emerge from the city of Shenzhen. In 2008, Shenzhen was once again put into the spotlight for earning the title of "city of design" by UNESCO.

This is a city of volunteers and devotion. As the birthplace of China's volunteer cause, Shenzhen now has a registered number of 270,000 volunteers. A total of 1.28 million volunteers will provide considerate service during the 26th Summer Universiade.

This is an open-minded and tolerant city. As China's biggest migrant city, Shenzhen makes a name for itself with diversity and tolerance. Citizens respect and take care of each other and made dedication to the development of Shenzhen.

This is a city with vitality and sportsmanship. Keeping fit has become a fashion in Shenzhen. Each year, there are more than 1,600 fitness sport activities and competitions. Around 4.5 million people take part in various sports activities, which account for more than 40% of the total population in Shenzhen. Sports not only shape the urban feature of Shenzhen but also exert a strong influence on people's lifestyle.

This is a city full of tourism resources. Shenzhen boasts more than 100 scenic spots, which is crowned the "Excellent City" by China central government. In a selection by 《New York Times》, Shenzhen is listed among the 31 must-see tourist destinations of 2010 in the world.

There are only two days before the 26th Summer Universiade kick starts. We will start here to create our wonder for the youth memory. As English poet Lord Byron said, "Young people are full of vigor just like the spring water". Let's make history with our endless vigor and passionate participation.

Thanks for the youth to put our passion into good play. The Univeriade is a carnival for youngsters to take part in and exchange ideas. We know each other much better and learn from each other. We build up our friendship and experience the joy of sports.

Thanks for the sports to ignite our imagination for the future. "The Universiade is a spectacular meeting of friendship. The friendship is based on mutual understanding and respect, respect others'belief and opinions…" the first FISU president delivered the speech 50 years ago, which is still fresh in mind with so many people nowadays. The friendship surpassing the racial discrimination and victory itself is the key concept of Universiade. "Friendship, love, fairness, perseverance, integrity, cooperation and endeavor", these Universiade mottos guide university students generations after generations.

Thanks for the times to provide us a platform mapping out our future. The scientific innovation and fast growing economy enable us to rely on each other and cooperate with each other. You just need to take hours of flight and then you land on a city of totally different cultures, folk customs and beliefs to make more new friends.

The Universiade enables young spirits to create more sparkles. Let's work together to make the whole world more tolerant, more developed, more civilized and more harmonious.

Listen, there comes the chorus of over 10 million Shenzhen citizens—"Arrive in Shenzhen, you become the member of this big family!"You will experience a warmer handshake, a more lasting smile and you will feel young forever in Shenzhen.

We hope you feel at home in Shenzhen for whatever your folk custom, religious belief and cultural background.

We hope you can have a look around the city, as you cannot afford to miss the glamour of Shenzhen. Wish you have a wonderful time in Shenzhen!

We hope you will bring home more happiness and beautiful memories when you say goodbye to Shenzhen, and do not hesitate to leave your suggestions, expectations and advice for the city of Shenzhen.

This is your home, let your young souls run wildly in this creative space. Wish you marvelous performance in the Universiade and have a good time in Shenzhen.

Editorial Department of Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

August 10, 2011