BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The torch relay for the 31st FISU World University Games began here on Saturday, kicking off a 48-day countdown to the Games to be held in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

　　The torch relay involves five cities: Beijing; Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province; Shenzhen; Chongqing; and Yibin, Sichuan Province.

　　The flame will then return to Chengdu and light the main cauldron of the Universiade when it officially opens on July 28.

　　Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, is the third Chinese mainland city to host the biennial Summer University Games, following Beijing in 2001 and Shenzhen in 2011.

　　Athletes from universities across the globe are expected to compete for 269 gold medals in 18 sports.

　　↑Torch bearer Zou Jingyuan runs with the torch during the torch relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

　　↑Torch bearer Ding Ning speaks before the torch relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

　　↑Torch bearer Ding Ning (C) runs with the torch during the torch relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

　　↑Students cheer for the torch bearers during the torch relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

　　↑A guard collects flame back to the lantern after Beijng city's torch relay of the Chengdu 2021 FISU Summer World University Games at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on June 10, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)