Xi said the Chinese Government views the Olympic and Paralympic bid with "great importance" and that winning the hosting rights for the Games could promote great sports participation across the nation.

"It will inspire over 300 million Chinese to participate in winter sports if we win, which will contribute greatly to the development of international Olympic cause," he said.

Xi also praised ANOC for its role in helping to push forward the Olympic Movement, while contributing to sports development in China.

He added that the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games further ignited national passion for the Olympics.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said Beijing 2008 and Nanjing 2014 were the pride of China ©Getty Images


Sheikh Ahmad wished China luck with its bid and highlighted the nation's past experience of hosting major sports events.

He also said the country is an important partner to ANOC and that Beijing 2008 and Nanjing 2014 were the "pride of China".

Beijing is bidding alongside the Kazakh city of Almaty for the 2022 Winter Games.

The International Olympic Committee will vote for the host city at its Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 31 this year.

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