SHENZHEN - Altogether 97 overseas Chinese, most of whom are leaders of local Chinese communities or organizations, will attend the opening ceremony of the Shenzhen Universiade on August 12, according to the Overseas Chinese Office of Shenzhen on Thursday.

These overseas Chinese are from 42 countries and regions all around the world, and all of them arrived in Shenzhen on Wednesday.

"To witness the holding of Universiade in Shenzhen, we overseas Chinese feel very proud," said Yu Xuzuan, head of the overseas Chinese community in Turin, Italy.

"We want to share with them the passion and joy in the Universiade, and to thank them for their contribution to the successful bidding and holding of the event," said local official Zhang Siping.

Zhang said during the bidding of the Universiade overseas Chinese had helped much to build a bridge between Shenzhen and overseas cities and expand Shenzhen's international recognition by their influence in local communities.

He also thanked them for their massive and lasting donations and investment to Shenzhen, which promoted the city's social and economic development.

Shenzhen has more than one million Hong Kong and Macao compatriots and overseas Chinese and their families.

Also, more than 400 overseas Chinese, whose family origin are Shenzhen and Dongguan, another important city of Guangdong province, will be back at Shenzhen to hold their triennial convention and watch games during the Universiade, which will be held here from August 12 to 23.