Suzhou is taking a leading role in the race to become a sports metropolis by taking on all-around preparations and high involvement.

The 2015 Table Tennis Championships got off to a promising start in Suzhou on April 25, with a splendid opening ceremony that presented the Wu culture to the world. The ceremony also roused the participation of over 500 athletes from 134 countries and regions that will compete for five single titles in eight days.

The ceremony hosted China's Vice Premier Liu Yandong; Jiangsu's provincial governor, Li Xueyong; and Thomas Weikert, president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). It was hosted by Cai Zhenhua, deputy director at the General Administration of Sport of China and head of the Chinese Table Tennis Association.

Thomas made a speech to praise Suzhou's passionate involvement in the sport and its efforts in promoting the table tennis culture. Li expressed his warm welcome to athletes across the world coming to Jiangsu after the successful 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games. He hoped that their stay in Suzhou would be an unforgettable one and help make the event a sporting masterclass.

Thomas Weikert (R1), president at ITTF, gives a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

After Liu declared the Championships officially open, a glaring 20-minute performance full of Suzhou elements was staged.

Cultural images of Suzhou embroidery, classical gardens, Pingtan Opera (Suzhou-dialect storytelling and ballad singing) were blended in a depiction of the daily life of Suzhou locals and unfolded against a backdrop of Chinese ink and wash painting scrolls.

Performers performing Kunqu Opera "Peony Pavilion"  [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Suzhou Pingtan Opera was also staged at the opening ceremony on April 25. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The performance also highlighted the connotation of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives and invited guests from all over the world to join in and share the joy of Suzhou.

A press conference was also held at the event to introduce the preparation work made by Suzhou and the ITTF. It featured leading athletes who shared their thoughts and expectations for the upcoming event, including defending champions Zhang Jike and Li Xiaoxia; current World No.1 Ma Long and Ding Ning; and rising foreign stars like Germany's Dimitrij Ovtcharov and Japan's Ishikawa Kasumi.