Foreign consuls at a reception at Wuzhou Guest House.

Jane Lai

FOREIGN officials from 18 countries attended the beginning of the one-year countdown to the 26th Universiade in Shenzhen on Thursday.

The foreign consuls general, vice consuls general and consuls from Guangzhou were in Shenzhen at the invitation of the city’s foreign affairs offices. They will also join in celebrating Shenzhen Beach Day at the weekend, which has been held annually since 2001 to enhance cooperation and friendship between Shenzhen and foreign countries.

The consuls general are from France, Argentina, Belgium, Cuba, Switzerland and other countries.

“We (the delegation) are confident that next year’s Universiade will be a huge success,” said Mohammad Iftikhar Anjum, Pakistan consul general in Guangzhou.

Israeli Consul General in Guangzhou Avraham Nir said he was excited about the approaching Universiade.

“It is another big event after the Beijing Olympic Games and the Shanghai World Expo. Shenzhen has brought here so many immigrants and this time, it will bring the world here.”

Nir said he was looking forward to visiting the Universiade venue in Longgang District.

On Friday, the officials and their families will visit the Universiade Center in Longgang District and the Xianhu Botanic Garden in Luohu District, and enjoy beach activities at Dameisha in Yantian District.

Source： Shenzhen Daily  Editor： 洪志科