The World University Games flame was kindled on Monday at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing as host city Shenzhen is all set to deliver a "unique" games.
Tsinghua University, which celebrated its centennial anniversary on Sunday, witnessed five students from China, Nigeria, Russia, Australia and Brazil, representing five continents, light the flame using a concave reflective mirror.
The torch relay will kick off on May 4 in Peking University with a virtual relay to be "run" at the same time on popular Chinese portal Tencent that encourages netizens to "log on to be virtual torch bearers".
Shenzhen, the southern Chinese boomtown that neighbors Hong Kong, won't repeat the Olympic or Asian Games scale of torch relay as it aims to cut costs and go "green".
The torch will be carried through Shenzhen University on May 15 and will be relayed five days later in a cluster of universities in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province that encompasses Shenzhen.
A two-day final relay will be run in the host city before the games officially opens on Aug. 12, with the first day relay mostly featuring local residents and the second day international participants.
Following Beijing Olympics in 2008, Shanghai Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010, Shenzhen, once a small fishing village, is eager to cement its status as an international and modern metropolis by hosting a world sporting gala.
"Start Here, Make a Difference" was unveiled as the games' slogan earlier this month when Universiade Center, which houses a cluster of venues and the Athletes' Village, were delivered to the organizing committee.
Shenzhen, a window to China's reforms for the past 30 years, never lacks the courage to be different.
"A different Universiade means Shenzhen will not simply copy the models of Beijing Olympics and Guangzhou Asian Games," said Wang Rong, vice president of the Universiade organizing committee.
Named as "a national economic center" and "a city of global clout" last year by the State Council, or China's cabinet, the 31-year-old city has shouldered more responsibilities, including the role of the economic axis to drive the development of surrounding cities, as well as Jiangxi and Hunan provinces to its north.
"Shenzhen Games will show the city's innovation and wisdom. It will be a brilliant Universiade," said Wang.
With a "green" idea in mind, Shenzhen will not use pyrotechnics to open the games or invite star artists to the opening ceremony. The games' logistics departments are staffed with over 40 members as the city' s government bureaus take bigger roles in traffic, food, tourism and medical assistance during the games.
Two thirds of venues are revamped ones as most money was spent on the infrastructure, including the expansion of a subway network that will reach a total length of 177 kilometers by June 2011.
"Shenzhen will reach a new level of development after the world university games," said Wang Rong. "The games will leave a lasting legacy and bring huge benefits to the local people."
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