Nation 'a strong Games candidate'

But race to be 2022 host is not easy: IOC president

China is "a very strong candidate" to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach told China Daily before meeting President Xi Jinping on Tuesday afternoon.

"China is known worldwide as a reliable organizer. We all still remember the brilliant Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing. So I think China will have a good chance, but it's not an easy race."