Xi Jinping has said Monaco will be welcomed to Beijing 2022 ©Getty Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is looking forward to welcoming Monaco to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

He made the comments after meeting the city-state's Prince Albert II, who is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Xi thanked the Prince for his work when Beijing hosted the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008.

The Chinese capital will become the first city to stage both the Summer and Winter Games in 2022.

"China has always said that no matter big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, all countries are equal members of the international community," said Xi, according to ecns.

Monaco sent a team of four to Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images
Monaco sent a team of four to Pyeongchang 2018 ©Getty Images

"We welcome you to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics." 

Monaco has competed at every edition of the Winter Olympics since Sarajevo 1984.

They sent a team of four to Pyeongchang 2018 in South Korea in February, including Alpine skiers Olivier Jenot and Alexandra Coletti.

Rudy Rinaldi and Boris Vain competed in the two-man bobsleigh.