Xi Jinping's appearance on CCTV marks end to party conclave
General secretary's visit to young athletes in Nanjing signals end to annual meeting of elite
A public appearance by Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping yesterday signalled the end of the annual direction-setting gathering of party elites and elders at the seaside resort of Beidaihe in Hebei.
The Beidaihe meeting has long been the backdrop for informal closed-door talks among the country's leaders and elders to determine the course for major domestic issues.
Footage on China Central Television's prime time news programme showed a smiling Xi touring the training venue of the Chinese delegation to the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu. Xi is expected to attend the Games' opening ceremony tonight.
Xi urged the young athletes to promote understanding and communication with their counterparts from around the world and to encourage other young people in China to take up sport. "Strong youth lead to a strong county. Strength lies not only in virtue, academic results and the capacity to improve but also in a healthy body and sportsmanship," Xi said.
Strength lies not only in ... academic results ... but also in ... sportsmanship
Vice-Premier and Politburo member Liu Yandong , who is in charge of sport, accompanied Xi yesterday.
