In early autumn, Nanjing is full of happiness, energy and friendship.

On August 16, 2014, President Xi Jinping held a banquet dinner in Nanjing to welcome international distinguished guests who had come to attend the opening ceremony of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG). Xi Jinping stressed in his toast that the YOG is not only a sports event where the youth can show and exchange their sports skills, but also an important platform for cultural exchanges and integration, and it is a grand meeting of youth which belongs to all the youth in the world. Every teenager that participates in the Games will be an Olympic ambassador, peace ambassador and goodwill ambassador that deepen understanding, spread friendship and facilitate cooperation, which will greatly consolidate the public opinion foundation for friendly exchanges among countries and promote to build a harmonious world featuring permanent peace and common prosperity.

In the evening, lights are lit and refreshing breeze blows gently at Nanjing's Purple Palace.

Xi Jinping and his wife Mme. Peng Liyuan greeted foreign leaders, heads of international organizations and their spouses at the conference center. They shook hands with all of them and exchanged greetings. Afterwards, Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan, together with the distinguished guests from various countries, entered the banquet hall.

Welcoming banquet started amid joyful tune of welcome. In warm applause, Xi Jinping delivered a speech.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi Jinping extended a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests who had come to attend the Nanjing YOG and expressed heartfelt thanks to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the international Olympic family and all governments and people for their support and help.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the YOG is an important stage built for the world's youth by the modern Olympic Movement. The YOG faces to the youth, serves the youth, and encourages and guides them to actively participate in sports with a view to disseminating and promoting Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect so as to conduct cultural exchanges in an all-round way and strengthen each other's communication and understanding.

Xi Jinping stressed that peace, development, cooperation and win-win results are common aspirations of all nations. The Chinese people are struggling to realize the Chinese Dream of great national rejuvenation. Sports serve as important means to improve health of the people and essential content of the realization of the Chinese Dream. It will provide a strong spiritual force that consolidates the people's heart and strength to achieve great national rejuvenation. Nanjing YOG is not only an opportunity for Chinese youth, but also an opportunity for the world's youth. Nanjing will present the world a wonderful and dynamic grand youth event with Chinese characteristics.

President Thomas Bach of the IOC said in his speech that in 2008, Beijing hosted an incomparable Olympic Games. Six years later, China again held the YOG. The IOC thanks China for its great support to the Olympic Movement, congratulates China on its achievements in development of sports cause and appreciates the important role China has played on the world's sports arena. Athletes participating in YOG will not only fight for the medals, but also learn the concept of mutual respect, abidance by the rules and fairness and justice, and pass to the world the spirit of solidarity, fraternity and inclusiveness from Nanjing. He wished the Nanjing YOG a full success and wished China peace, development and prosperity.

Prior to the welcoming banquet, Xi Jinping and Mme. Peng Liyuan also met with the distinguished guests from the IOC.

Wang Huning, Liu Yandong, Meng Jianzhu, Li Zhanshu, Yan Junqi, Yang Jiechi, Liu Xiaofeng and others attended the above events.