Chinese athletes expressed their excitement at participating in the 2025 World University Games in Germany, looking forward to bringing glory for their country.
The 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games opened Wednesday at the Schauinsland Reisen Arena.
The FISU Games bring over 9,200 participants from more than 150 countries and regions competing from July 16 to 27.
In interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Cui Hechen, a badminton player and China's flagbearer, said he realized his dream.
"I didn't sleep well last night because I was thrilled to serve as the flagbearer at the opening ceremony, stepping onto the stage with the national flag of my motherland. I have been looking forward to this moment -- carrying my motherland's national flag to this stage," he said.
Liang Yushuai, a Chinese Taekwondo athlete, said he is happy to compete in the event for the second time.
"I participated in the Chengdu Universiade two years ago, and I am very happy and excited to be back through my hard work. I feel really happy and the opening ceremony was fantastic," he said.
Chinese athletes excited to participate in World University Games in Germany
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
