Chen Yiqin Attends Opening Ceremony and Declares the Games Open

The First National Youth Athletics Games opened on August 10 in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. State Councilor Chen Yiqin attended the opening ceremony and declared the games open.

At 9:00 a.m., the opening ceremony was held at the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center, radiating energy and excitement. A group performance by students showcased the vibrant spirit of the youth. Speeches were delivered by the Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Committee and the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China. At 9:37 a.m., State Councilor Chen Yiqin announced: “The First National Youth Athletics Games of the People’s Republic of China is now open!” The audience responded with enthusiastic applause. The ceremony concluded with a chorus performance of “Ode to the Motherland.”

The National Youth Athletics Games aim to strengthen China’s athletic development, lay a solid foundation for track and field sports, and promote widespread participation among young people. The first edition is organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, supported by the Ministry of Education, and co-hosted by the Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau and the Shenyang Municipal People’s Government. The event features 56 competitions, with over 1,100 young athletes participating from 29 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Shenyang Olympic Sports Center

The Shenyang Olympic Sports Center is a major sports complex in Shenyang, China, built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics football (soccer) matches. It features a 60,000-seat stadium, a 10,000-seat gymnasium, and a 4,000-seat swimming center. Designed with modern facilities, it continues to host sports events, concerts, and cultural activities, serving as a key venue in northeastern China.

First National Youth Athletics Games

The **First National Youth Athletics Games** was a significant sporting event in China, held to promote youth athletics and identify future talent. Organized by the Chinese government, it took place in **October 2019 in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province**, featuring over **3,000 young athletes** competing in various track and field events. The Games aimed to strengthen grassroots sports development and inspire younger generations to pursue athletic excellence.

General Administration of Sport of China

The General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) is the national governing body responsible for sports regulation, development, and promotion in China. Established in 1952, it oversees athletic programs, trains elite athletes, and organizes major sporting events, playing a key role in China’s Olympic successes and fitness initiatives. It operates under the State Council, aligning sports policies with national goals.

Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau

The Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau is a government agency responsible for overseeing sports development, events, and athlete training in Liaoning Province, China. Established to promote physical education and competitive sports, it has played a key role in nurturing elite athletes and hosting major sporting events in the region. The bureau reflects Liaoning’s strong sports culture, particularly in basketball, soccer, and athletics, contributing to China’s national sports achievements.

Shenyang Municipal People’s Government

The Shenyang Municipal People’s Government is the administrative body governing Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning Province in northeastern China. Housed in a modern government complex, it oversees the city’s development and public services, reflecting Shenyang’s historical significance as an industrial and cultural hub. The city itself has a rich history, once serving as the capital of the Qing Dynasty before the 17th century.

Ministry of Education

The **Ministry of Education** is a government department responsible for overseeing national education policies, schools, and academic standards. Its history varies by country, but many modern ministries were established in the 19th or 20th centuries to centralize and improve public education. For example, Japan’s Ministry of Education was founded in 1871 during the Meiji Restoration, while the U.S. Department of Education became a cabinet-level agency in 1980.

Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), also known as Bingtuan, is a unique economic and paramilitary organization in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Established in 1954, it was originally tasked with developing agriculture, industry, and infrastructure while maintaining stability in the region. Today, it plays a significant role in Xinjiang’s economy and governance, though it has faced international criticism over allegations of human rights abuses and forced labor.

Ode to the Motherland

The *”Ode to the Motherland”* is a famous socialist realist sculpture in Kyiv, Ukraine, erected in 1981 as part of the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II. Standing at 62 meters tall, the stainless steel monument depicts a female warrior holding a sword and shield, symbolizing Soviet victory and patriotism. While it remains a notable landmark, its Soviet-era symbolism has sparked debate in modern Ukraine.