President Nguyen Xuan Phuc Wishes Beijing Winter Olympics Success

Torchbearers Li Jinsheng (L) and Su Weiqing attend the Beijing 2022 Olympic Torch Relay at the Summer Palace in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2022. Photo: Xinhua

The Vietnamese leader also used the occasion to extend Lunar New Year greetings to the Chinese people, according to VietnamPlus.

Noting that the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are the biggest international sporting event of this year, President Phuc wrote Beijing will be the first city in the world to successfully host both the Summer and Winter Olympics in 2008 and 2022.

He said the Olympic flame lit at the National Stadium in Beijing would be a symbol of the sports spirit transcending national boundaries, which embodies the strong will and unity of mankind and inspires confidence in building a peaceful and prosperous world.

As a friendly neighbour and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of China, Vietnam and its people fully support and firmly believe that China will successfully hold the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, President Phuc wrote.

The Olympics rings are on show during the opening ceremony. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

On February 4, the Beijing 2022 Olympic torch was passed across the Summer Palace by about 97 torchbearers over a total distance of 6.182 kilometers.

The torchbearers in uniforms featuring red and yellow patterns carried the torch amid the lakes and historical buildings and sites in the Summer Palace, which is a masterpiece of Chinese garden design, bringing the Olympic spirit to life at a world cultural heritage site.

After the opening ceremony, the Games take place over 16 days. Many events, notably figure skating, Alpine skiing, hockey, and curling, stretch over nearly every day of the Games. Others cover briefer periods: Luge, for example, is held in the first week, and bobsled mostly in the second.

Meanwhile, the Winter Paralympics will open on March 4 and end on March 13.

The Olympic motto is unveiled during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Chinese authorities have stepped up security around Beijing 2022 venues, CNN reported.

Lots of surrounding streets are blocked off around the Beijing National Stadium, commonly referred to as The Bird's Nest, which will host the curtain-raiser.

There are crowds of security guards in the area and multiple gates to pass through to get to the stadium.

There is also the 'closed loop' to contend with as organizers bid to stop the spread of Covid-19 during the Games.

Anyone entering the bubble must be fully vaccinated, or face an additional 21-day quarantine upon arrival in Beijing, before being allowed in.

They must also use an app to upload their body temperature and answer questions about their health status every day.

Participants will be tested for Covid-19 every day and must wear face masks at all times.

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