Members of the Chinese and Netherlands teams compete in the women's mass start during the Speed Skating China Open, a test event for the 2022 Winter Olympics, at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, on Oct. 10. Photo: CFP

Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied separately to letters from Victoria Woodards and Dick Muri, mayors of Tacoma and Steilacoom of the US state of Washington.

In his reply letters, which were sent on Monday, Xi pointed out that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games is a happy event for the Chinese people and a great event for the international Olympic cause.

In the letters, Xi noted that China will present a simple, safe and splendid Winter Olympic Games with the support of Chinese people and the international community. 

Xi said China will practice the Olympic motto of "Faster, Higher, Stronger - Together," and bring people across the world together for a shared future.

President Xi wrote back to the two US mayors after receiving their letters recently. The two mayors sent New Year greetings to Chinese people, and wished success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in their letters. 

Woodards wrote in the letter that it's lucky for the world that a country as responsible and capable of organizing events as China is hosting the Winter Olympic Games against the backdrop of the global pandemic. 

She also said that people in Tacoma will watch the Games and cheer for athletes and for Beijing. 

In his letter, Muri said that the Steilacoom people hold high expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics and believe it will be well organized and successful.

He added that he and his family, as well as the 6,700 residents of Steilacoom, look forward to watching the wonderful performance of the athletes on television. The two mayors also conveyed their wish that the Year of the Tiger will be a year of enhancing peace, friendship and unity.

The opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games will be on Friday and the competition events will be held in Beijing and North China's Zhangjiakou. 

According to previous media reports, more than 200 US athletes will attend this year's Winter Olympic Games despite some US politicians' calls to "boycott" the Games.

Xinhua - Global Times