The third sports meet for staff of China's central state organs kicked off in the National Olympic Sports Center in Beijing Friday morning.

Vice Premier Li Keqiang announced the opening of the event, which draws some 15,000 participants from 93 central state organs, including the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Supreme People's Court and departments of the State Council, or Cabinet.

The participants will compete in 179 events in 20 disciplines such as swimming, track and field, table tennis, badminton, Chinese chess and bridge.

The first two such sports meetings were held in 1992 and 2005 respectively.