August 8 marks China's 14th National Fitness Day. Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of sports to health on many occasions. Xi is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Edited excerpts of Xi's speeches on this topic since 2016 follow:

Excerpts from Xi's speech at the National Health Conference on August 19, 2016

 Excerpts of Xi's speech at a meeting to review the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and commend outstanding individuals and groups on April 8, 2022

 Excerpts of Xi's speech at a meeting to review the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and commend outstanding individuals and groups on April 8, 2022

 Excerpts of Xi's speech at a meeting to review the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and commend outstanding individuals and groups on April 8, 2022

 Excerpts of Xi's speech at a meeting to review the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and commend outstanding individuals and groups on April 8, 2022

Sources: Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (II&IV), and National Development and Reform Commission