Is China already a world power in youth sports? Its performance at the Universiade suggests it is, but education officials are more circumspect.

Dominating the medal tally with 75 golds at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China appeared to have emerged as a world power, but the overall fitness level of Chinese students remains a concern, said Hao Ping, vice-minister of education.

"Although our local governments and schools have worked hard to improve physical education on campus, the decline in student fitness reminds us that we are far from being a strong sporting nation," Hao said at a ceremony for the Chinese delegation to the 27th Universiade on Wednesday.