Xinhua/photographed by Li Xueren

On 27 August, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Tianjin.

Xi welcomed Bach to China for the Opening Ceremony of China's 13th National Games, thanking him and the IOC for their positive contributions to the development of the Olympic Movement and sports in China.

Xi stressed that China has always attached great importance to sports development and the important role of the Olympic Movement in social development and progress. China supports the IOC and will work with the IOC on the Olympic Movement, the role of sports in promoting world peace and development, sports development in China and other issues.

Xi noted that preparations for the Beijing Olympic Winter Games are under way. Beijing will fully honor its commitments made during the bid and deliver an fantastic, extraordinary and excellent edition of the Games. We will take the Games as an opportunity to promote the balanced development of sports for all and competitive sports, promote the cause of fitness for all and improve the health of the people, he added.

Bach said he was pleased to attend the Opening Ceremony of China's 13th National Games. President Xi Jinping's visit to the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne this January has drawn great attention and produced positive impact worldwide. He has seen the enthusiasm of Chinese people about the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, and firmly believed that China would deliver a green, clean, hi-tech and sustainable edition of the Games. The IOC will continue to coordinate and work with China to ensure the great success of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, he added.

Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council and other leaders were present.

(Reporter: Bai Jie/Gao Peng/Zhai Yongguan)