"Economical" concept popular among sports events hosts in China

With most second-hand office supplies, the on-going inaugural National Youth Games are estimated to save more than 21 million yuan (3.3 million US dollars) compared to purchasing new goods.

No fireworks, no superstars, the Games hosts also presented an economical opening ceremony.

The "economical" concept has become more and more popular among officials in the world's second largest economy.

Yang Yimin, mayor of the host city Fuzhou, has been pinching pennies since the east coastal city won the bid in 2011.

"In order to host an economical event, we are strictly applying budgeting and follow-up auditing," Yang said.

In the media center, the tables and chairs seemed familiar to some reporters.

Officials told Xinhua that most of the office supplies including tables, chairs, computers are second-hand ones purchased from the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.

"We purchase them at a very low price, about 60 percent discount compared to new ones," an official from the organizing committee's department of finance told Xinhua.

The organizers said the cost of office goods has been reduced by 3.3 million dollars thanks to the second-hand office supplies.

Beijing, the Chinese capital city that has won the bid of the 2022 Winter Olympics, pledged to host an "athlete-centered, sustainable and economical" Games.

Emphases will be placed on integrating the Games with regional development strategy, conducting market-based fund raising, improving internal management system, and exercising strict cost control over the Games operations. Endi