Xi assures 'great success' for 2022 Winter Olympic Games

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Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Sunday that China will fully honor its commitment to host "a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent" 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who was in Tianjin to attend the opening ceremony of the 13th Chinese National Games on Sunday night in the northern port city.

Xi said the preparations in the lead up to the 2022 Winter Games are going on smoothly.

"We will fully honor our commitments that we made during the bid process and deliver a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Games," said Xi.

China will also take the opportunity provided by the 2022 Winter Games to promote the balanced development of national competitive sports and mass sports, so as to improve the health of all Chinese people, the president said.

Welcoming Bach's participation at the opening ceremony of the 13th National Games, Xi said that China appreciates the contribution made by him and the IOC to the development of the Chinese Olympic Movement and the wider cause of sports.

China has always attached great importance to sport and the significant role of the Olympic Movement in economic and social development, Xi said.

China will continue to support the IOC and cooperate with it on issues including the Olympic Movement, sports' role in promoting world peace and development as well as the development of sports in China, the president said.

Bach, for his part, said President Xi's visit to the IOC headquarters in the Swiss city of Lausanne last January has drawn worldwide attention.

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach (C) examine the badminton racket of Chinese badminton legend Li Lingwei during a visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne on January 18, 2017. /Xinhua Photo‍

He said he has seen the enthusiasm Chinese people have shown for the 2022 Winter Games and he firmly believes that China will hold a green, transparent, hi-tech and sustainable Winter Games.

The IOC will coordinate with China to make sure the event is a great success, Bach added.

Xi also met with Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, president of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on the same day.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, president of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on August 27, 2017. /Screenshot from CGTN

Xi spoke highly of the OCA's efforts to promote Chinese and Asian sport development, pledging that China will continue to support the work of the OCA.

Meanwhile, as Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, will host the 19th Asian Games in 2022, Xi told Sheikh Ahmed that China would fully support Hangzhou's preparation work to make the event a success.

Sheikh Ahmed, who is also in Tianjin to attend the opening ceremony of the 13th Chinese National Games, said he and the OCA value cooperation and friendship with China.

He expressed his admiration toward President Xi's foresight to promote Chinese sport and the international Olympic Movement, as well as his appreciation for China's long-term support to the OCA.

He said the OCA will work closely with China to develop the cause of sports in Asia and support China in hosting the Winter Olympic Games and the Asian Games in 2022.

The Chinese National Games, first held in 1959, has drawn teams from all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China this year. According to the organizing committee, the 13-day event has attracted more than 20,000 athletes to participate in 417 events from 33 sports.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency