Olympic torches that lit up China-France friendship

During President Xi Jinping's state visit to France over two months ago, the Olympic torches were among the most eye-catching gifts he exchanged with French President Emmanuel Macron before a meeting at the Elysee Palace.

Xi presented to Macron the Olympic torches of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. In return, Macron gifted Xi an Olympic torch of the Paris Olympics.

"France is a sporting power and I sincerely wish the Paris Olympic Games every success. China will send a high-level delegation to France to participate in the Games," Xi told Macron.

From Beijing to Paris, the Olympic spirit transcends time and space, with the Olympic family coming together once again under the five rings. Through sports, China and France join hands to uphold the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together".