Shenzhen - President Hu Jintao Friday said that the 26th Summer Universiade held here will go down in the history of the Universiade as a unique and high-standard sporting event.

Hu made the remarks at the welcoming luncheon of the opening ceremony of the Summer Universiade which is due to convene tonight in Shenzhen.

Since its birth in 1959, guided by the principle of developing university sports and promotion unity and cooperation across the world, the Universiade has offered university athletes around the world a platform to compete with each other and showcase their sportsmanship.

"It has served as a bridge that brings young people in the world together to deepen their mutual understanding and friendship, thus giving a strong boost to the cause of international youth sports," said Hu.

According to Hu, University students from different countries, ethnic groups and religious backgrounds have forged a bond of friendship through exchanges and interactions at the Universiade. Here, diverse cultures mingle, the seed of friendship is sown and the spirit of cooperation is fostered. This is where the appeal of the Universiade lies, and this is what the Universiade is all about.

Hu said as the youngest metropolitan city in China, Shenzhen is full of vitality. It is an important window through which you can learn about contemporary China.

"I am convinced that thanks to the good preparations made by the government and people of Shenzhen over the past several years and with the active participation and joint efforts of the International University Sports Federation and the delegations of various countries and regions, this Summer Universiade will go down in the history of the Univeriade as a unique and high-standard sporting event," Hu said.

More than 7,800 athletes and officials from more than 150 counties and districts will attend the Shenzhen Universiade.

Foreign leaders who will also be present at Friday's opening ceremony include President of Mozambique Armando Guebuza, President of Bolivia Juan Evo Morales Ayma, President of Fiji Ratu Epeli Nailaticau, Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi, and Prime Minister of Romania Emil Boc.