The outfit for the Chinese delegation at the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade was unveiled on Monday at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Provided to China Daily

China's blue-and-white porcelain is one of the world's most popular and valuable works of art.

At the Tsinghua University on Monday, designers from Qiaodan Co Ltd revealed how they used it as an inspiration to produce the Chinese delegation's outfit for the Shenzhen Universiade in August.

"The outfit shows Chinese culture to the world. It will put every (Chinese) athlete in the limelight as a new design concept and new color combinations have been used," said Ni Zhennian, general manager of Qiaodan, a Fujian-based sportswear company which is a long-time supporter of university sports.

China's state-supported sports system saw a large number of professional athletes at past Universiade events.

However, major changes have been taking place in recent years as more and more students have developed their skills within the university system and China has become more aware that the Universiade is also a great platform for exchanges with international students while showcasing a young and dynamic image of China through the young athletes.

The new outfit is part of the efforts to let the world know more about China, 10 years after Beijing hosted the Universiade in 2001.

"The Shenzhen Universiade will bring together in friendship young people from different countries and regions," said Yang Liguo, secretary-general of the Federation of University Sport of China (FUSC).

"Sport in universities is becoming more and more important in our country. We need more companies and people to support and develop university sports."

During the ceremony revealing the new-look uniforms, three Chinese athletes shared their experiences.

Former women's volleyball team spiker and Athens Olympic champion Yang Hao, now the assistant coach at the Beihang University, said she has a collection of a dozen national outfits.

"It's a special moment when you win glory for your country and stand on the podium. So I have kept every outfit from my victories at big tournaments."

Yang Chao, a former basketball player at Renmin University who now plays for CBA club Fujian SBS, and Hu Kai, the 100m winner at the 2005 Universiade from Tsinghua University, expressed their feelings about competing at a high level.

"As a student in China it's not easy to win in big tournaments that have professional athletes," said Hu. "We have to work harder athletically and academically than other students. We have to take more responsibility and pressure."

Yang Chao said his achievement in becoming a pro basketball player should be a source of inspiration for other university students. "It's a good feeling to know that your achievements could encourage and inspire more students to pick up the sport."