Twenty-seven years ago today, November 29, 1998 (October 11, 1998, the lunar calendar), Beijing successfully bid to host the 2001 World University Games. On November 29, 1998, the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation decided at a plenary meeting held in Bratislava that Beijing would host the 2001 World University Games. At this morning's meeting, the executive committee members listened to and discussed the application reports of the cities applying for the country. Subsequently, the Executive Committee held a secret meeting to review and decide on the hosting city of the 2001 Universiade. Finally, it unanimously approved that Beijing City should be the hosting city of the 2001 Universiade. After announcing the hosting city, Mr. Nebiolo, President of the International University Sports Federation, said that hosting the 2001 World University Games in Beijing is an honor for the International University Sports Federation and a contribution made by China to the world's university sports. Liu Jingmin, head of the Beijing City bidding team and deputy mayor, on behalf of Jia Qinglin, chairman of the bidding committee, mayor of Beijing City, and the people of the city, expressed heartfelt thanks to the International University Sports Federation for its decision to host the 2001 World University Games in Beijing. He said that with the support and cooperation of the International University Sports Federation, Beijing will do its best to make the 2001 World University Games the best ever and contribute to promoting the development of world university sports.