Editor's Note: International organizations are important platforms for gathering high-end resources. Attracting international organizations that fit the capital's functions is a key step to improve Beijing's role as the center for international exchanges. In recent years, Beijing has made continuous efforts to improve its international environment and services. Recently, the Leading Group for Improving Beijing's Role as the Center for International Exchanges reviewed and adopted measures to attract international organizations and facilitate their settlement and operation in Beijing.

By the end of 2021, a total of 101 international organizations have established headquarters and representative offices in Beijing, the highest number in the country. As more international organizations gather here, they have played out their role as a bridge and a channel in their respective fields to attract international resources and promote Beijing's high-level opening up and high-quality development. This column, "International Organizations in Beijing", will take you closer to these international organizations and share with you the behind-the-scenes stories about their settlement, operation and development in Beijing.

FIS stands firm with Beijing and praises the Beijing Winter Olympics

As the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games drew near, the Opening Ceremony of FIS Beijing Liaison Office was held in Shijingshan District. Gou Zhongwen, Director of China's General Administration of Sport and President of Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), and FIS President Johan Eliasch met via video link and launched the Office together.

Johan Eliasch Attends the Opening Ceremony of FIS Beijing Liaison Office Online

Gou Zhongwen and Other Leaders Attend the Opening Ceremony of FIS Beijing Liaison Office

"This is our first overseas liaison office, which reflects FIS's firm confidence in and strong support to China," said Eliasch. He also added that FIS attaches great importance to expanding exposure in China. As Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games provides unprecedented opportunities for winter sports, FIS launches its Beijing Liaison Office to fully tap into China's great potential in skiing, to help China achieve its ambitious goal of encouraging 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports.

The Beijing Liaison Office established prior to the Games demonstrates FIS's firm confidence in and full support for China to host a successful Winter Olympic Games, said Ni Huizhong, Director General and Party Secretary of the Winter Sports Management Center under the General Administration of Sport of China.

Johan Eliasch Writes "Best Wishes China" on the Winter Olympian and Gives It to A Staff Member During the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

As an authority on international skiing, Eliasch spoke highly of the preparation for Beijing 2022 with his most professional eyes. He said, "The Shougang Big Air is the first venue in the history of Winter Olympics that built on the reuse of industrial heritage and will be the world's first Big Air venue to be permanently preserved and used after the Games, not only for sports competitions and athlete training but also open to the public as part of a sports-themed park. This reflects the advanced concept of venue construction for the Beijing Winter Olympics. Many skiing venues will be commercialized, continuing to serve the development of China's winter sports after the Games."

Eliasch also hailed the green concept of Beijing 2022, as some venues used during the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics were renovated to minimize carbon footprint. He said that FIS will spare no pains to support China's Green Olympic concept and call on all skiing athletes to do their utmost to protect the environment and live with nature in harmony.

Winter sports flourish in Beijing with heritage reuse

"It took 50 years for Europe and America to develop the winter sports industry, while China has formed a complete industrial ecosystem in just five years," said Sarah Lewis, the former Secretary General of FIS. "Achieving the goal of encouraging 300 million people to participate in winter sports will allow more Chinese people to learn about and enjoy winter sports, and provide business opportunities for the related service industry."

Zheng Liangcheng, Chief Representative of the FIS Beijing Liaison Office, said that the Beijing Liaison Office is established to play a part in the after-use of the Beijing Winter Olympics heritage, and drive China's skiing industry by attracting top international competitions to China. It also aims to promote the development of winter sports among Chinese youth and cultivate talent in this field through public skiing popularization and promotion events.

The Inaugural Ceremony of the FIS China Youth Skiing Team

To encourage more young people to join winter sports and increase both competitive level and talent reserve, the FIS and Chinese Ski Association jointly established the FIS China Youth Skiing Team in early 2022. The first team is composed of 13 young athletes recommended by the Beijing Ski Association, with an average age of only 15 years old. The FIS will provide them with professional training and platforms for international exchanges and competitions.

Xue Jizhou from the Beijing Youth Ski Team is one of them. Although a high school student, she has been skiing for 12 years. Since 2015, she has participated in youth competitions many times and has won awards such as 3rd place in the Amateur Youth Women's Group at the FIS CC Skiing China City Sprint Capital Group 2019, and 1st place in the U18 Women's Group at the 2018-2019 National Youth Alpine Skiing Slalom Open Championship. Behind such impressive results is her decade-long love and persistence in skiing. She said, "Skiing has given me perseverance and the courage to pursue my dreams. Although ordinary and young, we could have a positive impact on more people in our lives. In the future, I hope to show more people the charm of skiing and let the world see the outstanding skiing skills of Chinese youngsters through the FIS."

Xue Jizhou from the FIS China Youth Skiing Team on the Competition Field

Li Xiaoming, Chairman of the Beijing Ski Association stated that they will utilize FIS's top competitions and professional technical platforms to help young athletes continuously improve their skiing skills and showcase the excellent performance of Chinese skiers on the international ice and snow stage.

About FIS

Established during the first Winter Olympics Games in 1924 and headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) is an international sports organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), responsible for managing the Olympic events, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle skiing and snowboard. It also works for organizing international events, formulating competition rules, and promoting winter sports like skiing worldwide. On the eve of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the FIS founded the Beijing Liaison Office, its first branch office in the world.

(Photo source: FIS Beijing Liaison Office, Beijing Daily, Beijing Ski Association)