The 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China officially opened on Sunday night with a grand opening ceremony in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, declared the Games open while attending the ceremony. 

Co-hosted by Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, the National Games will run from November 9 to 21.

Xi has on many occasions emphasized the importance of mass sports in improving public health, as well as the need to promote sports and build China into a strong sporting nation.

The following are some of his quotes.