11th Chinese National Games opens in Jinan

Video: China's 11th National Games open in Jinan

Full video: Opening ceremony of 11th National Games Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

JINAN, East China, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- One year after the hosting of the exceptional Beijing Olympic Games, the 11th National Games, billed as China's mini-Olympics, opened amid a splendid ceremony here Friday evening.

Chinese President Hu Jintao announces the opening of the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 16, 2009.(Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Hu Jintao officially opened the Games at the ceremony held in the newly built Olympic Sports Complex in this capital city of east China's Shandong province.

With 55 of all 63 Chinese Beijing Olympic champions expected to compete, the quadrennial national meet is set to stage another sports gala for the country which just celebrated its 60th birthday.

Among those present at the ceremony are President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge, who was re-elected at the 121st IOC Session held in Copenhagen just one week ago, and a dozen of IOC members.