A gathering is held to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, April 8. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
BEIJING – President Xi Jinping attended a gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday morning to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.
Chinese authorities honored 148 units and 148 individuals, including one awarded posthumously.
The president said China's sports delegation has achieved best-ever results in its history of attending the Games.
President Xi Jinping said the Beijing 2022 Games have left a fruitful legacy, resulting in success of the Games as well as regional development
Xi said Beijing has become the world's first "dual-Olympic city," and that the splendid Games have drawn positive feedback from the international community.China has presented the world with a streamlined, safe and splendid Games, honoring its promise to the international community.
When the world has undergone combined impacts of profound changes unseen in a century and the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting the Winter Olympics and Paralympics has faced unprecedented risks and challenges, Xi said.
"We have sorted out risks in all fields in an all-round way, and established a regular working mechanism," Xi said, adding that China has constantly found problems, studied and solved them in time, and responded to them actively and properly to ensure the safe and smooth running of the games.
Xi also noted that the targeted and effective COVID-19 prevention and control efforts have ensured the safe hosting of the Games.
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The splendid Games have drawn positive feedback from the international community with outstanding performance, said Xi, adding that the Beijing 2022 Games have left a fruitful legacy, resulting in success of the Games as well as regional development.
The success of the Beijing Games has brought confidence and hope to a world overshadowed by instability, said Xi, adding that the Beijing 2022 are grand events that feature peace, friendship, unity and cooperation and inspire the world.
Xi summarized the Winter Olympic and Paralympic spirit as bearing in mind the big picture, being confident and open, rising to the challenges, pursuing excellence, and creating a better future together.
A gathering is held to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, April 8, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
Positive impact on country's development
President Xi also said patriotism was fully manifested in the Games, gathering a momentum for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation
The president also noted that patriotism was fully manifested in the Games, gathering a momentum for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and that all the facts have proved that the Communist Party of China is the most reliable backbone for the Chinese people to make great achievements.
The country's socialist system, the solid economic and technological strength, and composite national strength have laid a solid foundation for the success of the Beijing 2022 Games, the president added.
"As long as we unswervingly uphold the Party leadership, we will definitely overcome all difficulties and obstacles that we meet and ensure every success in our future work!" Xi said.
Xi also noted that the Games have brought about far-reaching positive impact on the country's economic and social development.
In addition, the Games participants have had the courage to shoulder missions and responsibilities, and united and fought hard for the motherland and the people, Xi said.
President Xi Jinping stressed cherishing and carrying forward abundant intellectual wealth and valuable experience harvested in the seven-year extraordinary process of preparation and hosting of the Games, while calling for efforts to well manage and utilize the legacy of the Beijing 2022
They have shown the sincerity and friendliness of the Chinese people with hospitality, and promoted mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of the world through exchanges of civilizations, Xi said.
The participants have kept the high morale of knowing the heavy burdens and facing challenges, overcome difficulties and risks, and forged ahead, Xi emphasized.
They have also sought constant breakthroughs, created miracles, and sent the warm call to the world to join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.
Xi stressed cherishing and carrying forward abundant intellectual wealth and valuable experience harvested in the seven-year extraordinary process of preparation and hosting of the Games, while calling for efforts to well manage and utilize the legacy of the Beijing 2022.
Meanwhile, the nation's goal of involving 300 million people in ice and snow activities has come true, with people's sense of contentment notably enhanced, Xi said.
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A total of 346 million Chinese have participated in winter sports activities and a series of varied mass ice and snow events have been held since the preparations of the Games started, said Xi, who called for faster steps in building China into a country strong on sports.