Chinese president meets president of Olympic Council of Asia

TIANJIN -- President Xi Jinping met with Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) here on Sunday.

Xi said Beijing's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games is a good opportunity to create a win-win situation for Chinese sport and the international Olympic Movement, and will inspire the Chinese people's passion for the Olympic Movement.

One of the major tasks in China's national development is to build itself into world sport power, said Xi, adding that the 2022 Winter Games will give the Chinese people another opportunity to contribute to the Olympic Movement and the spread of the Olympic spirit.

Beijing, which staged the Summer Olympic Games in 2008, was awarded the right to host the 2022 Winter Games in 2015, making it the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games.

Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang Province, will host the 19th Asian Games in 2022.

Xi added that China fully supports Hangzhou's preparation work and believes that the event will be a success.

Xi also spoke highly of the OCA's efforts to promote Chinese and Asian sport development, pledging that China will continue to support the work of the OCA.

Sheikh Ahmad, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the 13th Chinese National Games to be held Sunday night in the northern port city of Tianjin, said he and the OCA value cooperation and friendship with China.

He expressed his admiration toward President Xi's foresight to promote Chinese sport and the international Olympic Movement, as well as his appreciation for China's long-term support to the OCA.

He said the OCA will work closely with China to develop the cause of sporting in Asia and support China in hosting the Winter Olympic Games and the Asian Games in 2022.