Xi Jinping spoke highly of the positive role played by the IOC in developing sports and promoting world peace and development. He pointed out that sports can not only improve people's health but also enhance mutual understanding and friendship among peoples. The Olympic spirit of unity, friendship, and peace has taken deep root in China. In the early days of reform and opening up, the Chinese women's volleyball team won the world championship with their tenacious fighting spirit and dedication to bringing glory to the country. Going forward in our development process, we still need to inherit and carry forward this spirit.
Xi Jinping emphasized that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of sports from the strategic perspective of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and values the important role of the Olympic Movement in social development. In recent years, we have successfully hosted major international comprehensive sporting events such as the Beijing Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, and Guangzhou Asian Games, as well as large-scale international sports activities such as the IOC World Sport for All Congress. In line with the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, we will strive to improve people's health, develop both mass and competitive sports in tandem, and advance from a major sports country to a strong sports nation.
Xi Jinping said that the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games will be held in Nanjing, China, in August next year. Currently, preparations are proceeding in an orderly manner. We will earnestly fulfill our commitments and, under the guidance of the IOC, ensure the success of this grand event. The cities of Beijing and Zhangjiakou in China have submitted bids to host the 24th Winter Olympic Games in 2022. China hopes to use this as an opportunity to promote the development of the Olympic Movement and winter sports.
Bach thanked the Chinese government for its support of the international Olympic Movement. He said that China has made significant contributions to the development of global sports. The Beijing Olympics were a tremendous success and left a valuable legacy for the world. Choosing China for his first visit after taking office was meant to demonstrate the IOC’s desire to strengthen cooperation with China. The IOC thanks Nanjing, China, for hosting the Youth Olympic Games and is satisfied with the preparations, believing that the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games will be a success. He wished China good luck in its bid for the Winter Olympics.
Subsequently, Bach, on behalf of the IOC, awarded Xi Jinping the Olympic Gold Order in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting global sports and the Olympic spirit. Xi Jinping expressed gratitude to the IOC for its long-standing support of the development of China’s Olympic Movement and stated that the Chinese government will, as always, support the development of the Olympic Movement and strive to make greater contributions to the global Olympic cause.
