China-based diplomats from over 30 countries visited the Zhangjiakou site of the 2022 Winter Olympics over the weekend at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games.

Genting Snow Park in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, December 11, 2019. /Xinhua

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games is less than a year away. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, preparation work for the Games remains on track with no major setbacks.

Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid visits to the venues in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, the host cities of the 2022 winter edition, and hailed the efforts made by the organizers. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach in a recent message also expressed confidence that the Games would be a success.

Diplomats from over 30 countries visited the Zhangjiakou site for the 2022 Winter Olympics on February 13-14, 2021. /Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds talks with the diplomats following their two-day visit to the Zhangjiakou site for the 2022 Winter Olympics. /Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with the foreign diplomats following their two-day visit. He stressed that China is looking to host "green, inclusive, open, and transparent" Olympics.

He expressed the hope that the Olympic Games could serve as a "bridge" between different cultures and civilizations and would lead to the better future of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang also invited people from around the world to participate in the upcoming winter sports extravaganza.