Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng yesterday sent a congratulatory message to the Chinese delegation – informally known as Team China – for its “exceptional and impressive” achievements at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, which ended with a closing ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Sunday night.
According to a statement by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS), Ho sent the message on behalf of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and its population, expressing feelings of utmost respect, and sending sincere congratulations to the nation’s athletes for achieving “sensational” results at the 24th Olympic Winter Games.
The athletes’ collective endeavours earnt the country a total of nine gold medals, four silver medals and two bronze medals. The number of gold medals gained and the aggregate of awards won represented “glorious breakthroughs” for Team China, Ho said in the message.
China finished third in the medal table, after Norway and Germany and ahead of the United States.
Team China displayed “vigorously” the spirit of the Olympics and the nation’s sporting spirit, Ho said, adding that its endeavour contributed to a splendid, extraordinary and thrilling Olympic Winter Games in the national capital, and opened a new era in China for winter sports.
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics “pulled at the heartstrings” of the local population, the message said, pointing out that Macau held a series of celebratory events under the theme “Together for a shared future and cheer for the Beijing Winter Olympics!”
People in Macau are extremely proud about the “momentous” performance of the nation’s athletes, and the glory it has brought the country, according to the message.
The athletes’ determination and their endeavour to gain victory, their resilience and virtuoso skills, and their confidence during competition, displayed the vitality of the nation’s sport development, the message stressed. The athletes’ devotion to their tasks as displayed during the Olympic Games, further spurred the patriotic passion of Macau people, and helped boost Macau’s effort for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Ho underlined.
Beijing’s Winter Olympics was not merely a sporting gala, but also a feast of culture, presenting to the world the attractiveness of Chinese culture, China’s confidence, and the image of a transparent, prosperous, open and hope-filled country, Ho emphasised.
The MSAR will learn from the sporting spirit of the nation’s athletes – their determination and steadfast approach in the face of challenges, and their power to overcome difficulties, Ho pledged.
The MSAR government will seize the opportunities from Beijing’s Winter Olympics, in order to promote the development of local sports and the sports industry. In addition, Macau will work closely with Guangdong and Hong Kong in the organisation of the next edition of the National Games, scheduled to be held in 2025, Ho said in his congratulatory message.
The MSAR government will also dedicate further efforts in promoting Macau’s development as a multiple-cultural exchange and cooperation base with an emphasis on Chinese culture; while advancing the implementation of the “One Country, Two Systems” principle in Macau, Ho added.
The Chief Executive also sent his best wishes to Team China for scaling new heights in sporting events, and for fighting for the glory of the country and the Chinese people.
