The Road to Becoming a Sports Powerhouse — The Value and Inspiration of Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on Sports (Part 1)
Chapter 1 - Pursuing the Dream of Becoming a Sports Powerhouse - The Spatio- temporal Coordinates of Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on Sports
In today’s piece, we are briefing you on the Chapter 1 of our report, “The Road to Becoming a Sports Powerhouse — The Value and Inspiration of Xi Jinping's Important Discourses on Sports.” We would love to answer any questions you might have so make sure to drop a like, comment, and subscribe for more!
When the dazzling fireworks painted "One World, One Family" across the night sky in Beijing, the National Stadium was alive with passion, joy, and friendship. This moment captured the intertwined dreams of China's Olympic aspirations and its goal of becoming a sports powerhouse, all showcased on the grand stage of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Meeting China's Olympic delegation for the Paris Games at the Great Hall of the People in August 2024, Xi Jinping urged the Olympians to make further efforts to build China into a sports powerhouse. He noted that the Chinese delegation's excellent performance has fully demonstrated the country's strength in the new era. The fundamental reason why China has joined the ranks of the world's leading sports nations and become a major Olympic player is the country's growing national strength, he said.
Sports are a valuable asset for humanity, and the dream of becoming a sports powerhouse is a persistent aspiration on China's path to national rejuvenation. This sports dream reflects the enduring quest for national strength and renewal over the past century. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, China is resolutely advancing toward this goal, crafting a new narrative of Olympic success and national destiny while fostering mutual achievements with the world.
1. The Sports Interpretation of the Chinese Dream Since the 18th CPC National Congress, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era, bringing multifaceted significance:
National Rejuvenation: After a century of hardships, the Chinese nation is closer than ever to achieving its goal of national strength and rejuvenation.
National Strength: Through advancements in the economy, politics, society, 3 technology, culture, and education, China has undergone comprehensive social transformation, aiming to build a modern socialist country and offering Chinese solutions to global issues.
Human Development: China has found a path to modernization that contributes both Chinese characteristics and universal values to the world, becoming a valuable asset for humanity.
Against this backdrop, sport has taken on new, profound meanings, expanding its influence across all aspects of Chinese society. China's journey to becoming a sports powerhouse has reached a new stage.
This journey mirrors China's overall national strength and social progress. Sports development is intricately linked with national advancement; a strong nation underpins sports success, while a thriving sports sector symbolizes national strength and prosperity. Thus, the dream of a sports powerhouse represents a core component of the Chinese Dream.
Xi Jinping emphasized that sports embody the aspiration for a strong and prosperous China and national rejuvenation. He stated, "Sports carry the dream of building a strong China and achieving national rejuvenation. A strong country ensures a thriving sports sector, and vice versa. We must prioritize sports development with careful planning and full implementation, break new ground, and accelerate the creation of a sports powerhouse."
Guided by Xi Jinping's discourses, China's sports development has entered a new era. Public sports services are improving, more people are engaging in sports, and per capita sports facilities are expanding. National fitness has become a strategic priority. Competitive sports are evolving with coordinated development across winter and summer sports. The sports industry is growing robustly, with reforms accelerating and a new system combining national and market mechanisms taking shape. Anti-corruption and anti-doping efforts are advancing, with significant progress made. Through self-supervision and reform, China's sports sector is overcoming challenges and making steady, healthy progress.
2. The Chinese Path of Sports Development
Rooted in the rich soil of Chinese civilization and integrating global sports cul4 ture, China's sports development path is both unique and universally relevant. By engaging in mutual learning and exchanges with other civilizations, China has forged a new path in sports development, becoming an integral part of the global sports landscape.
In the new era, as the world undergoes unprecedented changes, China's progress toward becoming a sports powerhouse reflects not only the development of its own sports sector but also has significant global implications:
United and Sharing a Common Fate: On February 7, 2014, President Xi Jinping's attendance at the Sochi Winter Olympics marked the beginning of a new era of sports diplomacy for China. Since then, China has hosted several international sports events, including the Nanjing Youth Olympics, Wuhan Military World Games, Beijing Winter Olympics, Chengdu Universiade, and Hangzhou Asian Games. These events have opened windows to the world and built bridges. Xi Jinping's speeches at these events highlighted the importance of upholding world peace and promoting solidarity. At the Hangzhou Asian Games, Xi Jinping emphasized the need for Asian countries to pursue mutual benefit and reject Cold War mentalities, advocating for a unified response to global challenges and a shared path to development.
Words Must Be Actions, Promises Must Be Kept: Despite the severe COVID19 pandemic, the Beijing Winter Olympics were held as planned in early 2022, providing a safe and friendly environment for nearly 3,000 athletes from 91 countries and regions. The Games adhered to the principles of being "simple, safe, and splendid" and embraced a "green, inclusive, open, and clean" vision. The successful execution of venue construction and operations showcased China's commitment and responsibility as a major power. International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach praised the success of the Beijing Winter Olympics and awarded the Olympic Cup to the Chinese people.
Open and Shared, Joining Hands for the Future: In June 2023, the Papua New Guinea Training Center of the China Table Tennis College (CTTO) opened in Shanghai. This center, the second international institution established by the CTTO, follows the European Branch and focuses on high-level athlete training, popularizing table tennis, and promoting the sport abroad. The CTTO also hosts international teams in Shanghai. From the "Ping Pong Diplomacy" of the 1970s to today's "Ping Pong Coaching," China is fostering a community with a shared future, demonstrating its responsibility as a major country and setting a global example through expanded sports exchanges.
According to a 2022 General Administration of Sport (GAS) report, China has established sports- friendly relations with over 180 countries and regions, enhancing bilateral sports exchanges. It has deepened cooperation with major sports powers, strong winter sports nations, and neighboring Asia- Pacific countries. China's foreign sports aid, technical cooperation, and training opportunities for overseas athletes illustrate its commitment to sharing sports development achievements and promoting global sports progress. Through these exchanges, China is expanding its network of international friends, shaping a new model of sports diplomacy, and showcasing the dynamic atmosphere of Chinese sports culture.
Chapter 2&3&4: To be Continued…