"We expect that the 26th Universiade be a total success," Chinese President Hu Jintao said Thursday.

Hu made the remark as he met with FISU President George Gillian on Thursday afternoon.

Hu expressed appreciation on the support and assistance that the leadership of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) have given to Shenzhen in hosting the 26th Summer Universiade.

Hu said that all the preparation work for the Shenzhen Universiade have been completed under the strong support of FISU and joint effort of all members of the FISU family.

Hu said over the long years, Gillian and the members of the FISU Executive Committee have made outstanding contribution to the development of world university sports and to advancing cooperation between China and the world university sports.

Hu pointed out that hosting of the Universiade will help spread the Olympic movement in China and promote the popularity and development of university sports in China and the world as a whole. He said the Universiade will provide an important platform for university students from all around the world to carry out exchanges.

Gillian spoke highly of the development of youth sports in China, saying that FISU has maintained a sound cooperation with China as all major sports events it staged in China achieved success.

Gillian said FISU is ready to continue to step up cooperation and exchanges with China so as to advance development of the world university sports.

Newly elected FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien and members of the FISU Executive Committee were also present at the meeting.

President Hu congratulated Gallien for being elected as the new President of FISU for the period of 2011-2015.

The 26th Summer Universiade is to open on Friday evening in Shenzhen, a newly emerged metropolis in south China. Some 12,000 athletes and officials from around the world are to participate in the Shenzhen Universiade.

China has already hosted two Universiades in the past decade. In 2001, Beijing hosted the 21st Summer Universiade. In 2009, the north China city Harbin hosted the 24th Winter Universiade.