At the end of November 2021, two months before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, an exciting news came to the Chinese media: Bolivia held a grand ceremony for Bolivian athletes participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Bolivia in Beijing, Mauricio Belmonte
The South American country of Bolivia is famous for its high mountains. Mauricio Belmont, chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Bolivian Embassy in China, said in an interview with a client reporter of Beijing Daily a few days ago that China has carried out all the important arrangements for the Winter Olympics in the best way. By sending a delegation to the Beijing Winter Olympics, Bolivia sent a clear signal that it would fully support Beijing in hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics. China's preparations for the Winter Olympics have once again proved China's ability and greatness.
China has a genuine dedication to hosting the Winter Olympics
As the Winter Olympics approach, the strong Winter Olympic atmosphere has filled the streets of Beijing. Belmont said that as in the past when large events have been held, Beijing's preparations have created a very favorable environment for the Winter Olympics, and "China has carried out all the important deployments for the Winter Olympics in the best way." We are delighted and honored to participate in the upcoming Winter Olympics. China's preparations for the Winter Olympics have once again proved China's ability and greatness. ”
He further stressed that China has a genuine dedication to hosting important global events such as the Winter Olympics. All countries will send their own representatives to the Olympic Games to promote exchanges among peoples in an atmosphere of peace. "China has taken care of every detail of the preparatory work with a genuine commitment. You can feel it even if you can't see it. ”
Bolivian athletes participating in the China-Bolivia ski exchange program arrived in China at the end of November 2021 for training. Before setting off, they held a grand expedition ceremony in the country. Two Bolivian Winter Olympic athletes will also come to China in the near future to participate in alpine skiing and cross-country skiing competitions at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The prevention and control of the new crown epidemic is a major challenge facing the Beijing Winter Olympics, and Belmont expressed full confidence in this. He said Beijing was ready and had made detailed plans for various situations. Now when people arrive in Beijing, their health and safety can be fully guaranteed. Next, delegations and athletes will be able to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics in the best possible condition.
Bolivia fully supports Beijing's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics
The capital of Bolivia, La Paz, at 3,627 meters above sea level, is the highest capital in the world. In the field of winter sports, Bolivia also has one of the highest ski resorts in the world, the Chakataya Mountain Ski Resort, which is more than 5,400 meters above sea level.
Belmont has been working in China for 5 years. Due to the proximity of the residence to the Beijing Workers' Stadium, he can often feel and experience the strong sports atmosphere of Beijing. "Fans in Beijing love South American football. I'm a fan myself, I love to play football, and I often find myself resonating with Beijing citizens in this regard. Young people in Beijing also have a wide range of hobbies in sports. ”
In recent years, China and Bolivia have carried out friendly cooperation in the field of sports. Through the implementation of the first and second phases of bolivia's sports technical cooperation, China supported Bolivia in successfully hosting the 11th South American Games in 2018. It is reported that the Chinese side will also take the Beijing Winter Olympics as an opportunity to implement the third phase of the sports technical cooperation project to help Bolivia, and enhance the international influence of Bolivian winter sports and promote the development of Bolivia's winter sports industry by helping the Bolivian Winter Olympic team to participate in China.
Belmont said frankly that although the attention of the Winter Olympics in South America is not very high, Bolivia's delegation to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics has released a clear signal that Bolivia fully supports Beijing's hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Bolivia hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields
Against the backdrop of the spread of COVID-19, China and Bolivia have also cooperated effectively in the fight against the epidemic. Bolivia uses the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinopharm to carry out large-scale vaccinations in the country, and has recently approved the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years.
Belmont said that Bolivian President Arce hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields, especially to expand the export of Bolivian agricultural products to China. "In 2018, Bolivia and China established a strategic partnership. Since then, Bolivian beef has been exported to China. Bolivian beef is comparable in quality to Uruguayan and Argentine beef, which now has a share of the Chinese market. We also hope that Bolivian coffee, royal quinoa and soybeans will gradually become familiar and recognized by Chinese consumers. ”
I wish Chinese people a successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The Year of the Tiger is auspicious!
- Mauricio Belmont, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Bolivia in China
As the Year of the Tiger approaches in the Chinese lunar calendar, Belmont also took the opportunity of an interview to send New Year greetings to Chinese, "The tiger is an animal I particularly like, and I hope that in the Year of the Tiger, people can also show the indomitable strength and courage of the tiger." I extend my best wishes to the people of Chinese and wish you all health and happiness! I wish the Beijing Winter Olympics a successful event and promote exchanges between people of all countries in a harmonious and safe environment! ”
Source Beijing Daily Client | Reporter Bai Bo
Edited by Cai Wenqing
Process Editor Wu Yue