More than 10,000 athletes from all over China are expected to compete in the event with 417 medals to be awarded in 33 sports.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is due to be among the guests at the Opening Ceremony in the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium.

The Games, which have been held every four years since 1959, are best known outside China for the 1993 event in Beijing.

Then, the group of female Chinese runners known as "Ma's Army", after their coach, Ma Junren, produced a series of amazing performances and set world records in the 1,500, 3,000 and 10,000 metres.

The performances have since been largely discredited following accusations of doping.

Chinese officials are determined that any outstanding performances at this year's Games will not be overshadowed by similar allegations. 

A total of 2,900 tests will be carried out, marking a 12.6 per cent increase in the number of tests compared with the last edition four years ago in Shenyang.

Chen Zhiyu, director of the Games' anti-doping department, claimed new testing methods will be used in Tianjin.

"The meet will for the first time introduce the urine growth hormone releasing hormone test," Chen told Xinhua News Agency, China's official press agency.

"We set up an anti-doping department of 787 staff, which will carry out the heaviest anti-doping work."

The anti-doping team, including 301 officials to conduct the tests, will be divided into 49 groups working in venues and the Athletes' Village.

All the testing samples will be collected daily and sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory.

"Anybody tested positive will be severely punished," Chen, also deputy director of China's Anti-Doping Agency, said.

The Games are due to last until September 8.