Wei made the statement at the conclusion of a Chef de Mission seminar in the Japanese city, attended by 46 delegates from 31 National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

“The Asian Winter Games is not only a competition but also a friendly gathering of Asian youth athletes,” said the former President of the International Volleyball Federation.

“We will show to the world that world peace is possible and that world harmony is possible, we will prove it with our Games.”

The seminar dealt with key Games topics, including security, accreditation, ticketing, media services and commercial guidelines.

Yesterday, Wei had urged all 45 members of the OCA to participate in the Games, even those with little or no experience in snow and ice sport.

Around 1,500 athletes from around 30 NOCs were expected to compete in the Games, scheduled to take place from February 19 to 26.

Eleven venues are in Sapporo, with co-host Obihiro set to host speed skating competition.

The gathered delegations are due to visit the speed skating venue tomorrow, with the formal sessions of the seminar having now drawn to a close.

“This Chef de Mission meeting has gone very fast, ahead of schedule,” said Wei.

“This means everything is okay, everything is clear and well understood.

“We are waiting for the largest ever Asian Winter Games in Sapporo next year, so, as I said yesterday, for every NOC the most important thing is participation.”

Sapporo 2017 are due to be in attendance at the OCA and Olympic Solidarity regional forums in Bangkok and Doha next month to answer any outstanding issues with the NOCs.