Switzerland open to ensure success of Beijing Winter Olympics

Switzerland, with its rich experiences in winter sports, could cooperate with China to ensure the success of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, said Swiss officials.

Roger Schnegg, director of Swiss Olympic committee, told China Daily in Beijing that as the nation where the International Olympics Committee is headquartered, Switzerland has played a leading role in winter sports as well as many other areas.

"We are the global leader in winter sports. We are the global leader in sustainable tourism and hospitality services. We are the global leader in innovation and clean technology. That's overall, not only in winter," he said.

He was on a three-day visit to China last week with more than 40 representatives from 14 Swiss companies, associations and institutes. The delegation members visited Chongli in North China's Hebei province where the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games will be held.

During the visit, the representatives met with people from Chinese government and companies to discuss cooperation issues for the winter sports. A memorandum of understanding was also signed to establish friendly cities between the Swiss tourism resort Verbier and Chongli.

Calling President Xi Jinping's trip to Switzerland last month a historical visit, Swiss Ambassador to China Jean-Jacques de Dardel said that the bilateral relations are in a "golden age".

The ambassador also expressed optimism toward the winter sports cooperation between the two countries.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said last month that he was "sure" the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games would be a success. The remarks were made during Xi's historic visit to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"Before we had talks last evening and today, I always said we are very confident about the success of these Winter Games. Now, after his visit, I would say we are sure it will be a success," Bach told reporters after he met with President Xi at the Lausanne-based Olympic Museum on Jan 18.