Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics: A common dream come true

- TAN QINGSHENG Tan Qingsheng is the Chargé d’affaires of Chinese Embassy in the Philippine­s.

Two weeks ago, on 23 June, Internatio­nal Olympic Day was celebrated all around the world. Internatio­nal Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorat­e the birth of the modern Olympic Games and to encourage everyone in the world, regardless of gender, age or skill levels, to participat­e in sports activities.

In China, the widely-recognized Olympic motto of “swifter, higher, stronger” not only represents the unremittin­g efforts of athletes in competitiv­e sports, but also demonstrat­es the persistent spirit of the Chinese people to actively participat­e in sports and constantly strive for a better version of themselves.

Following the successful 2008 Beijing Olympics, China will soon host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2022, making Beijing the first city in the world to host both the summer and winter Olympic Games and the second capital city to host winter Olympic Games after Oslo 1952.

It is destined to write a splendid chapter in the Olympic annals.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is an important stage to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The Olympic dream, an embodiment of mankind’s supreme ideal and pursuit of purity, inspires the Chinese people and helps to create a harmonious world.

As President Xi Jinping said, civilizati­ons are enriched by exchanges and mutual learning.

The Olympic Movement is conducive to advancing both China’s sports, social and economic developmen­t as well as the developmen­t of World Olympic Movement, facilitati­ng mutual exchanges between Chinese civilizati­on and other civilizati­ons and once again offering Chinese people an opportunit­y to contribute to Olympic Movement and the disseminat­ion of Olympic spirit.

Meanwhile, China will take the opportunit­y of preparing for the Beijing Winter Olympics to promote the populariza­tion and developmen­t of ice and snow sports, to encourage in-depth internatio­nal exchanges and cooperatio­n, and contribute to sustainabl­e developmen­t and the promotion of Olympic legacies.

The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is an important enabler to enhance the understand­ing and friendship of peoples of all countries.

China adopts a green, inclusive, open and clean approach to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, in alignment with China’s efforts to jointly build the Belt and Road and push forward ecological protection.

As sports are increasing­ly becoming a part of China’s exchanges with other countries, the Winter Olympics Games will lead to closer ties between athletes, and promote friendship and understand­ing around the world.

Since the establishm­ent of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippine­s 46 years ago, both countries have had frequent sports-related interactio­ns with a number of memorandum­s signed and joint training projects carried out, which is a highlight of our bilateral cooperatio­n. The Philippine­s is an important sports country and has great potential in the Winter Olympics. The friendly exchanges between China and the Philippine­s in the field of sports will continue to elevate bilateral relations. The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is a strong booster to dispel the dark clouds of Covid-19.

In tough times of the global pandemic, the once-every-four-years sports carnival serves as a cure of pain, a bridge of difference­s, an undiminish­ed torch of hope, and a limitless source of positive energy for global solidarity. Currently, China has successful­ly contained the epidemic at home and started economic recovery which will create a favorable condition for hosting the Beijing Winter Games.

The Philippine­s is an important sports country and has great potential in the Winter Olympics.

While strictly enforcing prevention and control measures, we strive to overcome the impact of Covid-19 and make steady progress in preparatio­n.

China and the Internatio­nal Olympic Committee have strengthen­ed vaccine cooperatio­n to jointly build an effective wall to protect athletes’ safety.

We are fully confident to work with all parties concerned to host the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in a simple, safe and wonderful manner.

Time and tide wait for no man. As the constructi­on of Beijing Winter Olympic Village has been completed, Beijing 2022 is just around the corner with less than a year to go.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Games are another solemn commitment made by China to the internatio­nal Olympic Movement and are eagerly awaited by winter sports lovers worldwide.

It is the strong belief of the Chinese people along with the internatio­nal community that we should unite and stand together to safeguard Olympic spirit, defend the independen­ce of sports and oppose the politiciza­tion of Olympic Movement, which is unstoppabl­e by any despicable political manipulati­on.

In 2022, let us join hands in Beijing to enjoy the charm of ice and snow sports and together make our dream come true!

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