China welcomes Sweden to cooperate in ice sports

Chinese Ambassador to Sweden Gui Congyou calls on Swedish friends to cooperate with Chinese counterparts in ice hockey in Stockholm at a Sweden-China Culture, Economics and Sports Forum held on January 13, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Chen Xuefei]

The Chinese Ambassador to Sweden has welcomed and encouraged Sweden to cooperate with China in ice and snow sports. 

CRI's Chen Xuefei reports from Stockholm. 

Ambassador Gui Congyou made the remarks while welcoming the visiting delegation led by Long Yuxiang, CEO of China International Communication Center and Yue Xinyu, Founder of Beijing Kunlun Red Star Ice Hockey Club at the Sweden-China Culture, Economics and Sports Forum in Stockholm. 

"This visit shows China's great enthusiasm in conducting ice hockey cooperation and exchange with Sweden, a big power in ice hockey and other ice sports. I sincerely hope our Swedish friends will seize this chance to actively conduct ice and snow sports exchange with China, push Sino-Swedish relations in ice and snow sports to further develop and make contribution to international Olympic Sports."

Zhang Qiaozhen, President of Sweden-China Entrepreneurs Association which sponsored the forum said her association likes to do their best to make their contribution in promoting Sino-Swedish Ice sports cooperation. 

Long Yuxiang, Executive Director of China International Communication Center presented Kunlun Red Star Ice Jersey to Swedish Ice Hockey friends on January 13, 2018. [Photo: China Plus/Chen Xuefei]

K-G Stoppel, Vice CEO of Swedish Djurgardens IF Hockey Club said that as a representative from the Ice Hockey circle, he thinks it is very important to spread ice hockey.

"I think there is no better cooperation partner than with China considering Beijing's 2022 Winter Olympics. It will be a great chance for Chinese to increase their interest in ice sports. Swedish Ice Hockey has a long history and our proud expertise in this field is training. I think we can cooperate with Chinese side in providing training for Chinese players. I look forward to further cooperation. "

Long Yuxiang says International Cultural Communication Center was founded in 1984 and has become an important window for China's cultural exchanges with other countries.

"President Xi Jinping has paid great attention to 2022 Beijing winter Olympics. You are welcome to visit us soon. We have established eight Ice hockey clubs in China within just one year. we plan to establish 20 Ice Hockey Clubs this year. Chances are equal for everyone, but if Sweden comes first, we prefer to cooperate with you."

The forum ended with a closed-door discussion on bilateral cooperation. 

For CRI, this is Chen Xuefei, in Stockholm.