In Irkutsk at the Trud Sports Palace the 6th Russian Chinese Youth Games opened ceremonially. About 500 took part, with hundreds of residents and top regional and national officials among the guests.

The opening ceremony of the competitions took place on July 12 near the Trud Sports Palace.
About 500 people took part in the event. Hundreds of city residents, visitors to the city, and the top officials of the region and the country attended the opening ceremony.
"I warmly welcome you on the occasion of the opening of the VI Russian-Chinese Youth Games. These large-scale competitions bring together young athletes from Russia and China and are rightly considered one of the most successful projects in the field of humanitarian cooperation between our countries. They play an important role in the development of children’s and youth sports, and in introducing the younger generation to the values of a healthy and active lifestyle. I am sincerely glad that holding the Games has become a good and time-tested tradition. I am convinced that the current Russian-Chinese Youth Games will be held with dignity, will be remembered for the joy of victories and a special friendly atmosphere, and will give participants and guests a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the unique nature of Siberia and its unique historical and cultural monuments. And, of course, the competitions will contribute to strengthening trust and mutual understanding between representatives of the youth, and to expanding personal human contacts. I sincerely wish you good luck and the very best impressions," said Nikolai Slobodchikov, Acting Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Irkutsk Region, reading out the greeting from the President of the Russian Federation.
Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Yuri Nagornykh is confident that the participants of the Russian-Chinese Games will enjoy the regional center.
"I warmly welcome you to the VI Russian-Chinese Youth Games. The strongest young athletes of our countries have gathered here on the basketball and volleyball, tennis and wrestling courts. You will have to demonstrate your best qualities: endurance, determination, team cohesion and, of course, the will to win. Our Games are held within the framework of the treaty on good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between Russia and the PRC. I am sure that you will enjoy it in Priangarye – our unique region with a special Siberian spirit, amazing nature, rich history and extraordinary energy. Participation in the Games will be successful for you and will open the way to conquering new sporting heights, and most importantly – will help you make new friends," he said in a greeting from Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
After the opening, the concert program began. Several hundred people were involved in the event. Olympic rhythmic gymnastics champion Evgenia Kanaeva lit the flame of the Russian-Chinese Youth Games. At the end of the opening ceremony, balloons were released into the sky.
According to the press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Irkutsk Region, more than 100 personnel from the Irkutsk garrison of the fire service will ensure the safety of the facilities involved in the Russian-Chinese Games.