It is not the UN General Assembly, but more than 200 countries and regions sent delegates here. There is no fierce competition like in the Olympic venues, only joyful songs and voices in different languages.

During the Games, a group of young people have gotten together in Beijing, sharing Olympics happiness in their own way.

Tuesday saw the opening of the Beijing Olympic Youth Camp (OYC), with a slogan of "Youth Creates The Future".

There were 409 foreign camp members from 205 member states and regions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who will live together here until Aug. 17.

Together with their 80 Chinese counterparts, these foreign camp members will play sports, take in entertainment and visit scenic spots to help them understand each other and Chinese culture. They will also have chances to watch some Olympics competitions.

According to Liu Lin, a member of the publicity and promotion division of the Camp, it is the most complete Olympic Youth Camp ever. Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iraq all sent young people here.

Further, this Camp is the first to include disabled persons, including 10 from China.

The Camp is situated in the No.101 Middle School of Beijing, near the remains of the Winter Palace. Surrounded by trees, with ancient-style pavilions and lotus-covered pools, the camp is like a huge forest park.

Complete facilities, such as a post office, a bank that can exchange currencies and a grocery, are in the camp, which also has a religion center.

The OYC is an educational and cultural exchange program under the Olympic flag for young people. It first appeared at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, and in 1964 it re-appeared at the Tokyo Olympics after being interrupted by two world wars.

Most of the members are aged between 16 and 18, although the youngest member is a 12-year-old Iraqi boy. They are either outstanding youth or children of noble families, especially those from some African countries.

But no matter who they are, playing and having fun are their natural instincts. To meet their needs, the camp has complete entertainment facilities, from table tennis and ceramics to tennis and football.

Regardless of nationality, race or culture, games are their major communication method.

"I really enjoy life here," said Tim Ferris, from Zimbabwe, as he played table tennis. "The Olympics is a big event, which allows me to make a lot of friends here." After losing one point, he was out of the match.

Ferris and other players, who were from Belgium, Guatemala, Iceland and China, made a circle around the table and each caught the ball for one time in turn. Those who did not catch it were out.

The Belgian boy taught them how to say "out" in German. After a while, when Ferris failed to catch the ball, the Guatemalan shouted "out" in the German that he had just learned, but with a Spanish accent. Ferris had to quit the match.

Chinese characteristics can be seen in the camp, although it has more foreign members. The 400-plus members are separated into 12 groups, which are named according to the Chinese traditional calendar's 12 earthly branches that represent world harmony.