The flag raising ceremony for nine participating delegations of the 6th East Asian Games (EAG) was held in China's northern port city here on Sunday.

Representatives from the nine participating delegations, including hosts China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, South Korea, Macao of China, Mongolia, Chinese Taipei, Guam and Hong Kong of China witnessed their flags raised high at Wanli Tianjin Hotel square.

"We believe that, with concerted efforts, with first-class organization work, first-class facilities, first-class environment, first-class service, we will run a high-level and splendid sports pageant with distinguished features," said Zhu Liping, deputy chairman of the organizing committee.

Hosts China fielded 516 athletes, including London Olympics champions Ye Shiwen, Jiao Liuyang, Zhao Yunlei and Sun Yujie. Zhang Peimeng, a rising athletics star who impressed at 2013 Moscow IAAF World Championships, will also appear in men's 4X100 relay.

"We aim at looking for promising athletes for 2016 Rio Olympics. We hope to gain a good result, while finding young athletes to lay a sound foundation for Chinese delegation is more of our focus, especially in athletics, swimming, basketball, football and volleyball," said Xiao Tian, head of Chinese delegation.

At the flag raising ceremony, heads from nine participating delegations exchanged gifts with Zhu.

According to reform proposals passed by the East Asian Games Association during the 30th council meeting in May, the East Asian Youth Games, a regional youth sports event, will replace the current EAG, featuring athletes aged between 14 and 18, with the first event to be staged in 2019.

"I think changing into Youth Games is exciting. It's great for the youth to get to a higher level, maybe the Olympic or other sport games. Most of our athletes are now still in elementary school, we are looking forward to development to come out in Youth Games in 2019," said Roger Wahl, head of Guam delegation.

"I think it's a great occasion for young athletes to participate and have more experience in international games," said Aoki Tsoyoshi, secretary general of Japanese Olympic Committee.

From October 6 through 15, the 6th East Asian Games attracts 2422 athletes from nine countries and regions of East Asia. The opening ceremony will be held on Sunday night. Endi

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