A photo shows the openning ceremony of the Naadam sports festival in Ulan Bator on July 12, 2016. [Photo: cri.cn]

An annual sports festival is underway in Mongolia as part of that country's National Day holiday celebrations.

This year's edition of the ancient Naadam Festival are taking place just ahead of a visit to Mongolia this week by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and other leaders from Asia and Europe attending a major international meeting this weekend.

CRI's Victor Ning has more.

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has opened this year's Naadam festival, the start of which also marks the country's National Day.

He's used the opportunity to welcome visiting world leaders.

"Today we mark the grand opening of this year's Nadam. We have many distinguished guests currently visiting Mongolia. Many leaders from Europe and Asia will gather here, and some of them have already arrived. We need to ensure the success of the festival this year, as well as hosting a great Asia Europe meeting, to properly welcome our guests."

The Naadam festival is said to date back thousands of years.

Naadam is made up of horse racing, archery and wrestling.

Still described as "the manly Games," Naadam is now open for women to compete in the archery competitions, while girls are allowed to participate in the horse riding events.

The annual Naadam events hold special significance in Mongolia's nomadic culture.

The first recorded mention of the festival dates back to the 13th century in the chronicle known as "The Secret History of the Mongols."

During his rule, famed Mongol leader Genghis Khan is said to have used the competitions to select his most qualified warriors and soldiers.

For locals such as Nyamdorj, today's modern Naadam carries just as much importance.

"The Nadam is the most celebrated event in Mongolia. Horse-riding, wrestling and archery are the most popular traditional sports in our country – especially horse riding. Children begin learning to ride horses from an early age. When they cross the finish line during a horse race, that is the most exciting moment for us to watch. I think the happiest thing for any Mongolian is to watch the Nadam live at the venues."

This year's National Naadam competitions are drawing to a close just as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives for his trip to Mongolia this Wednesday.

While sports is not on the Premier's agenda for this trip, his time in Mongolia is going to create its own rewards.

Li Keqiang is going to oversee the signing of a number of deals in areas including infrastructure and energy cooperation.

Dulmaa is a retired teacher in Mongolia.

She first visited China in the 1960's says she's been impressed by the remarkable changes that are still taking place in China.

"It is great news that the Chinese senior leadership is visiting Mongolia. It will bring more economic opportunities for our country. We are neighbors, and it's important that we continue to develop friendly relations. The Chinese premier's visit will certainly take us forward in that direction."

During his time in Mongolia, Li Keqiang will also attend the Asia-Europe Meeting in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar, which will take place on Friday and Saturday.

For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.