Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto met skaters from their countries in Helsinki on Wednesday as the leaders pledged to cooperate in winter sports.
The athletes attended the World Figure Skating Championships 2017, which ran from March 29 to April 2 in Helsinki, Finland.
President Xi, who was on a state visit to Finland, congratulated the country on its successful hosting and commended the skaters for their performances.
Finnish athletes present tracksuit to Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan in Helsinki, Finland, April 5, 2017. /Xinhua Photo
The Chinese president said sports can serve as an important bridge between the two nations. He said China has a lot to learn from the Nordic country that has a long history of excelling in winter sports.
The Chinese capital Beijing will host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022. President Xi said China and Finland should use the Games as a chance to improve cooperation in winter sports. This would promote the development of each other’s sports programs and by extension keep their people fit.
Chinese athletes present tracksuits to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and his wife Jenni Haukio in Helsinki, Finland, April 5, 2017. /Xinhua Photo
Niinisto said Finland was willing to share what it knows about winter sports and preparing for sporting events. He added that Finland would support China as it hosts its first winter Games.
The Chinese duo of Sui Wenjing and Han Cong took gold in the pairs competitions at the just-concluded World Figure Skating Championships, while Jin Boyang of China won the men's singles bronze medal.
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