Carry Forward the Olympic Spirit and Move Together for a Shared Future
——Remarks by Ambassador Huang Xilian at the Winter Olympics Webinar
2022-02-22 18:52

Hon. Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr.,

Hon. Secretary Ramon M. Lopez,

Hon. Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat,

H. E. Ambassador Jose Santiago Sta. Romana,

H. E. Ambassador Francis Chua,

Mr. Victoriano Floro,

Chief of Mission for Beijing 2022,

Mr. Jim Apelar,

President, Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation,

Hello everyone!

After 14 years, the Olympic cauldron has been lit once again in Beijing, making the city the world’s first to host both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Committed to organizing a green, inclusive, open, and clean Games, China has made every effort to counter the impact of COVID-19, earnestly fulfilled its solemn pledge to the international community, and dedicated a simple, safe, and splendid Olympic grandeur to the world, fully interpreting the Olympic motto “faster, higher, stronger - together.”

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, said that the Olympic Games always build bridges. They never erect walls. It may be difficult to achieve an absolutely perfect and harmonious coexistence among different countries and ethnic groups in the real world. But at least in sports, we can stand above and beyond any political division, conflict, and mistrust and appreciate the exciting moments when humans push their limits. There have been countless emotional moments in this Olympics. For example, American skier Ashley Caldwell congratulated Chinese skier Xu Mengtao on winning the Olympic title and shared a big hug and laughed together. The embrace of love and friendship fully demonstrates that the essence of the Olympic Games is not only about passion-filled competition but also about bridging friendship and unity.

On this occasion, I would like to congratulate Filipino alpine skier Asa Miller for his spectacular presence in the 2022 Beijing Olympics. His love and unremitting efforts for ice and snow sports and his impressive accomplishment as the sole representative of the Philippines in the 2022 Beijing Olympics and being part of the small number of athletes representing tropical countries and the ASEAN Region on the Winter Games stage is something to be truly proud of. Miller’s Olympic journey not only connects the friendship between China and the Philippines at the Winter Olympics but will also kindle more Filipino youngsters’ enthusiasm for ice and snow sports and inspire more Filipino athletes to stand on the stage of future Winter Olympics.

“Together for a shared future” is the common and united voice of the international community. Nowadays, the pandemic is still raging, and global issues such as climate change and terrorism are emerging one after another. Only by pushing forth the Olympic spirit of perseverance, solidarity, friendship, understanding, inclusiveness, rising above politics and conflicts, and drawing strength from these can countries address these universal challenges.

“Together for a shared future” is also the common aspiration of the Chinese and Philippine people. China and the Philippines have been close neighbors for thousands of years. The ancestors from my hometown came to this land far before Western colonialists. What China brought to the Philippines is not colonization and war but cooperation and friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines, the traditional friendship between the two countries has been inherited and continued. It has also stood the test of weal and woe. Since President Duterte took office, he has made a strategic decision to improve relations with China. China and the Philippines have joined hands to overcome the haze of the pandemic, promote development and revitalization, and cooperate to properly resolve maritime disputes and maintain regional peace and stability. All of these are in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and common expectations of the two peoples, as well as the trend of peaceful development of our times.

This year is the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese lunar calendar, representing ambition, courage, and strength. It is my sincere hope that China and the Philippines can continue the friendship jumpstarted by the Winter Olympics, extend the kindling fire of the Olympic spirit, and look forward to a shared future together so that the growth of our new partnership can be strengthened, and generate more fruitful results for our peoples.

Thank you!


Suggest to a friend:   
Print