exchanges

Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets IOC President Bach

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on January 31 that China is well on track to deliver a “spectacular” Winter Olympic Games in 2022.

He made these remarks while meeting with International Olympic Committee （IOC） President Thomas Bach in Beijing.

Xi stressed that the Chinese government is firmly committed to staging a “green， inclusive， open， and corruption-free”Games， adding that preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics are either on track or ahead of schedule.

Emphasizing zero tolerance on doping in sport， Xi said： “We should make the Winter Olympic Games as pure and clean as snow and ice.”

He also paid tribute to Bach for the IOCs long-term support of Chinas sporting development， as well as its contribution to world peace.

Bach， who inspected several of the 2022 Winter Gamesvenues in Zhangjiakou and Yanqing on January 29， said he was impressed by the efficiency and dynamism he saw in Chinas preparatory work.

The IOC chief also expressed his satisfaction over the cooperation between Chinese organizers and the IOC， adding that he was confident that China would put on a spectacular Winter Games.

Chinese， Portuguese Leaders Exchange Congratulations on 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on February 8 exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Portugal diplomatic relations.

China and Portugal enjoy a long history of friendship， said Xi in his congratulatory message， adding that over the past four decades， the two countries， in the spirit of mutual respect， equality， mutual benefit and win-win， have promoted healthy and steady development of bilateral ties.

Since a comprehensive strate- gic partnership was established in 2005， China and Portugal have witnessed frequent high-level exchanges， deepening political mutual trust as well as remarkable achievements of mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas， Xi added.

Xi said he highly values the development of the two countries ties. By taking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-Portugal diplomatic ties as a new starting point， he added that he is willing to work together with Rebelo de Sousa to take the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level to better benefit the two countries and their people.

Noting the harmonious coexistence of Portugal and China， Rebelo de Sousa said the two countries always seek common ground while putting aside differences and pursue mutual benefit and win-win results.

Portugal is very proud of the long-term and peaceful relations with China， Rebelo de Sousa said， adding that he believes the two countries will make unremitting efforts with firm determination and enthusiasm to promote their long-term steady friendship to continuously move forward.

Chinese Vice President Says Economic Globalization an Inevitable Trend

Chinas interests and future are closely linked to those of the world， and it wishes to work with all countries for common development and a community with a shared future for mankind， Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan said at the 2019 World Economic Forum （WEF） in Davos， Switzerland on January 23.

In his keynote speech， Wang said that “economic globalization represents an inevitable trend of history given the enormous potential that derives from harnessing the comparative advantages of countries and enhancing economic connectivity.”

“In response to the problems and challenges in the world today， the international community needs to make a serious and in-depth analysis， and more importantly， take collective actions in line with the trend proactively，” said the Chinese vice president.

Wang called for working together to shape the global architecture with the vision to create a better future for mankind， and to uphold the security of all peoples while leaving a broad scope for the dissemination and application of scientific discoveries and technological innovations.

This years Davos Forum gathered global leaders to discuss“Globalization 4.0： Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

“ The Chinese side is in favor of necessary reforms of the WTO， which aim to better adapt the organization to the development of the situation and enhance its authority and effectiveness. The following principles should be upheld in the process of reform： first， maintaining the core values and fundamental principles of the WTO and maintaining the direction of trade liberalization； second， adhering to the principles of consultation and consensus， and seeking no exclusive “small cliques”； third， preserving the special and differential treatment for developing members while hoping that the French side will objectively view Chinas status as a developing country； and fourth， prioritizing the breaking of the stalemate in the selection of WTO trade arbitration judges.”

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks on January 24 during the 18th session of the consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue with Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France Philippe étienne in Paris.