London 2012: 'China in Leeds' event to celebrate London 2012 Olympic Games

China held a spectacular Olympics ceremony in 2008. In 2012 its athletes are based in Leeds

An event to celebrate Leeds as host city to the Chinese Olympic team has taken place in the city.

Chinese and British sport stars and community leaders attended the BBC Chinese event.

The show, China in Leeds, was presented in Mandarin and English at the University of Leeds.

Chinese world champions, the head coach and officials briefed the audience on their latest preparations ahead of London 2012.

Former Olympic Gold diver Li Na and Leeds-based diver of Team GB, Liu Jiayi, were among the guests at the event.

BBCUKChina.com, one of the two websites run by the BBC Chinese service, hosted a live broadcast from the event.

Last summer, Leeds signed an agreement to be the Chinese Olympic team's training base for London 2012.

Altogether 300 athletes, coaches and support staff in at least 11 sports will be in the city from July.

Raymond Li, head of the BBC Chinese service, said the China in Leeds show would reinforce links between the two countries.

"We will link up via video to people in China. The Mayor of Hangzhou, which is like a twin city to Leeds, will send a video message," he said, ahead of the event.

The Chinese Olympic team topped the gold medal table when the country hosted the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.