Xi promises green and corruption-free Beijing Winter Olympics on visit to IOC

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hand with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach during a visit to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland January 18, 2017.  [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping promised on Wednesday that Beijing would host an extraordinary winter Olympic Games in 2022 as the city strives to become the only city to host both summer and winter Olympics.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with the president of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, in Lausanne, Switzerland where the committee is based.

Beijing hosted the summer Olympics in 2008, and is now preparing for the winter Olympics in five years time.

Xi said the dual effort demonstrated China's support and proactive participation in the sports event.

He said that the preparation works would be a major task over the following years, vowing the event would be green, open and corruption-free.

China will use the opportunity of the Winter Olympics to promote mass sports participation and improve public health, Xi said.

He added that hosting such an event would also push forward China's proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

Bach welcomed Xi's visit to the International Olympic Committee, saying that the committee will work together with Beijing to ensure an excellent winter Olympics.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan also visited the Olympics Museum after meeting with Bach.

The Chinese president started the four-day visit to Switzerland on Sunday.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn