Xi sends best wishes for Sochi Olympics

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 8 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping voiced his confidence in an interview aired Saturday that the ongoing Winter Olympic Games here will be an unforgettable international sports event.

Thanks to the great attention of President Vladimir Putin and the full support of the Russian people, the Sochi games boast top-notch preparation and organization, Xi told Rossiya TV in the exclusive interview.

He said he believes that the Sochi Olympics will be an unforgettable international sports event and make fresh contributions to the global Olympic cause.

Noting that the Chinese nation has realized its Olympic dream by hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Xi said the Chinese government attaches great importance to the cause of sports and aims to make China a strong sports power.

As Beijing has launched a joint bid with neighboring Zhangjiakou city to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, Xi said one of the goals of his trip here is to learn from the Russian people and athletes and draw experience from the Sochi games.

In addition, the Chinese president conveyed his wishes that all athletes would score good results and that Sochi would grow more beautiful in the future and carry out closer cooperation with Chinese cities.

Xi arrived in this Russian resort city on Thursday to attend Friday's opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games at the invitation of Putin.