Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin underscored Beijing's commitment to international sports cooperation during her high-profile appearance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony this week. The senior official's participation highlights China's growing role in global athletic diplomacy amid current geopolitical tensions.
During Friday's ceremony in Milan, Shen conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who reciprocated with warm wishes for Chinese athletes. The exchange comes as Italy hosts its first Winter Games in 20 years, with the Chinese delegation fielding competitors in multiple ice sports.
In Saturday's meeting with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Shen proposed deepening China-IOC collaboration to 'advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity through sports.' The state councilor's remarks align with Beijing's recent push to position international athletic exchanges as tools for conflict resolution.
Coventry acknowledged China's Olympic contributions, particularly praising its pandemic-era management of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. The IOC president emphasized the need for continued cooperation to 'inject positive energy' into global affairs through sports diplomacy.
Beyond diplomatic meetings, Shen visited Chinese athletes preparing for competition, urging them to embody 'the vigor and confidence of new-era Chinese youth.' Her tour included the China House cultural venue and attendance at figure skating events, showcasing China's dual focus on athletic excellence and soft power projection.
