The scream of Afghan women shakes the consciences of all humanity. Geopolitical revolutions are changing the face of many Asian countries and unfortunately these metamorphoses affect, more and more frequently, the rights of the defenseless and the personal dignity of those oppressed by war.
The recent compliance with international agreements, which saw the US take troops home after almost twenty years of war, triggered a real humanitarian catastrophe that hit the Afghan population. Media around the world have picked up on the desperate attempts of people trying to cling to the planes of “Democracy”. And on this point it is really difficult to deny or forget what the frightened eyes of the population have written on the pages of history.
After the establishment of the new policies, in Afghanistan, what shook the world was the suffering of women, now revealed, evident, global and finally no longer hidden.
Precisely on this topic the BBC reported news of violence and segregation, describing in fact, that even the Afghan universities will be divided by gender and new rules on costume and clothing will also be imposed by the authorities. Although the new government has assured that it will guarantee education and work for women, the concerns of the international community remain high, because in reality the problem is everyone’s. It is linked to life and human dignity and on this point there are no flags of belonging.
Human Rights Watch illustrates how previously the administrations established in those territories, between 1996 and 2001, denied rights to women by imposing stoning, torture and confinement in homes, and in many cases not only the right to work, but also that of a simple outdoor walk.
At this point the reflections compulsively ask us to question the need to strengthen the Cedaw Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Its doctrine is fundamental as it develops precisely on the distinction, exclusion or limitation to the detriment of women. It works to ensure conditions of equality between men and women and all those fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural and civil sectors.
The convention fights to eradicate any discrimination practiced by people, entities and organizations and takes action to eliminate coercion in addition to “customary” and discriminatory practices. The question is important and is linked by reflex to terrorism and its perverse manipulative perceptions. Precisely for this reason, the most useful question to guarantee global individual dignity would be to ask ourselves if, in full respect of all religions and international laws, it was now the time to unite in diversity to change things?
When I checked the dictionary, I found out that ‘a person’s IKIGAI is represented by the things that the individual finds truly motivating, described as his or her reason for existing’.
It seemed to me the best word to associate with Tomohiro Harada.
He is currently accompanying his Norwegian diplomat wife on a posting abroad, to Chile, but he never forgot about his own aspirations, purpose and finding what makes him truly happy. He is constantly trying to accommodate their life together, as a mutual benefit. ‘We, as diplomatic spouses, have the important role of looking out for broader changes that could affect the course of our lives in the future. It’s about creating intellectual space between us to discuss what our interests are. It’s about taking lead in discussing issues that affect these interests in order to “future-proof” our home’.
Tomohiro Harada.
He tells me about his life so far and I have to admit, I am quite impressed with his extensive international living experience! He also has a rather wise approach, saying that ‘a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable’.
His story began in Japan, where he grew up. He later attended primary and high school in New Zeeland. ‘After that, I started my undergraduate degree in International Relations at the University of New South Wales in Australia and then transferred to the University of St Andrews in Scotland. I did my postgraduate degree at Moscow State Institute of International Relations in Russia and moved to Norway in 2016, where I started my PhD’.
So, one could say that his whole life on the move has prepared him for the current diplomatic situation. He tells me candidly ‘until I married my wife, everything has been rather temporary and uncertain in my life. I thrived when I was constantly on the move, but I was also scared of it. All of that changed when I married. From that point on, I’ve felt like I finally have “permanent fixture” and “certainty” in my life. I haven’t given up my old life, because it very much continues, but I gained something by having a life companion on a diplomatic mission’.
Such nice words, a true love statement, although life is not always easy as a diplomatic spouse.
He points out that ‘we (diplomatic spouses) are not a monolithic group, with a uniform experience. If someone says “our lives are super easy,” we can only confirm or deny this perception, based on our own experience (or experiences of people that we know). I am in Chile now, but I lived in a lot of countries, and prejudices come in many forms, not just as a diplomatic spouse, but also as an “Asian” person. I would say that prejudice arising from being Asian has been much more consistent and personal than being a diplomatic spouse, at least when I am out on the street among strangers. But of course, there are perks for being abroad as a spouse of a Norwegian diplomat. Not only being a male diplomatic spouse is widely accepted and welcomed in Norway, but “belonging to Norway” also gives me disposition as “Norwegian”, to an extent, to belong to the Nordic communities, where I am accepted, while distancing myself from the “Asian” community, which doesn’t always accept the idea of a trailing husband’.
He continues ‘I am now formally employed as a researcher at a university in Norway, to complete my PhD studies. I have to say that this has been extremely difficult as a diplomatic spouse. Pandemic also has a lot to do with it, and it affected my work environment significantly, knowing that I thrive more at my office. I thought that keeping my job and working on it while abroad is the best case scenario, but there are clear downsides too, and I continue to struggle.
On the bright side, I see a lot of opportunities. Once I finish my PhD, I want to start something new. It’s given that finding a job is a difficult thing, but what if “job” is not what we are looking for? I’m looking for things that make me happy, things that I am good at, things that keep me busy during the day, and so on. Then, a job becomes just one of many things rather than “the thing”. Not having a job often means no income and I think a lot of expats, especially the young ones, feel the money pressure. It’s something that my wife and I talk about a lot, because if that is to be expected, we need to talk about how to be smart with our money. And that’s what I research immensely in my spare time, thinking about family planning, pensions and “rainy day” funds. I actually find it very surprising that while a lot of ex-pat coaches touch upon expat life generally, they don’t talk about expat life and money, and that’s the big thing I am trying to understand right now’.
I asked Tomohiro about the general perception about diplomatic spouses, whether he feels it is close to reality, and furthermore, how is it when it comes to diplomatic MALE spouses.
‘Misperception is a problem that exists not only externally but also internally. For example, many male spouses, including myself, intervene quite forcefully when we are rendered invisible in diplomatic discourses and practices, as female spouses as well as female diplomats have done for decades, if not centuries. As I mentioned before, Norway, albeit not perfect, has come a long way to change the societal perception of men taking paternity leave or becoming diplomatic spouses. Because of this, we feel the exclusion of male spouses very acutely in diplomatic and expat communities abroad’.
‘So, before we think about what misperceptions are out there about us, we need to know more about ourselves. What kind of diplomatic spouses are there? There are mothers, fathers, unmarried spouses, gay spouses, spouses in hardship places and so on. Only then can we discover who we are, as a group’.
Asked if he had advice for other diplomatic spouses, he responded ‘to the extent that spouses are dependent on diplomats, the diplomats owe their spouses the vision of their life on foreign soil. It’s about ensuring that the diplomatic spouses see themselves in the life of their significant others and diplomacy at-large. At the same time, diplomatic life can create a false sense of security in a world that is really in disarray. As fast as the world is changing right now, we, as spouses, also need to adapt to these changes and pursue new skills which enable us to make positive impact in our world’.
Tomohiro Harada seems to me like the type of young man who perfectly understands the position and the role that he has right now, but who is constantly looking for opportunities, ways to express and evolve, new ways to find his “IKIGAI”.
Ce mot sonne en russe presque comme en français, mais a une autre signification. En russe ce n’est pas un adjectif, mais un substantif qui veut dire beaucoup plus que l’action de caractériser une personne. Tout fonctionnaire soviétique, tout membre du Parti communiste était familier de cette notion qui pouvait s’associer avec une chance, un succès, une promotion, ou avoir une signification redoutable, jusqu’à la fin de carrière.
La « caractéristique » était un document écrit qui fusionnait l’évaluation de la performance avec le certificat de bonne conduite. Tout fonctionnaire qui devait être promu ou muté à un autre lieu de travail, à une autre fonction, recevait une « caractéristique ». Il était notoire que ce document n’était pas délivré à l’intéressé, on l’envoyait au département du personnel où il était conservé dans le dossier personnel du fonctionnaire.
Il était impossible de le retirer du dossier. Il était signé par le chef hiérarchique et le secrétaire de la cellule locale du Parti communiste. La « caractéristique » devait contenir un nombre d’éléments obligatoires. Au tout début elle devait constater que la personne en question était « idéologiquement mûre » et « fidèle aux principes moraux »[1]. Le jargon bureaucratique de la période socialiste ne se prête pas à la traduction, il faut que je fournisse une explication. « Idéologiquement mûr » voulait dire « résistant à l’influence de l’idéologie bourgeoise », la fidélité aux principes moraux exigeait l’absence de relations sexuelles en dehors de la famille. Eh bien, un bon nombre de fonctionnaires qui n’étaient pas fidèles à leur femme – on est tous humains, n’est-ce pas – craignaient que leur infidélité ne soit inscrite dans la « caractéristique » plus que le divorce. Enfin, un divorce était aussi répréhensible, mais aux Affaires étrangères on pouvait divorcer une fois sans conséquence. Deux divorces pouvaient freiner la promotion. Après trois on était le plus souvent mis à la porte.
Bien sûr, la « caractéristique » comportait une évaluation des connaissances professionnelles, de l’attitude au travail, des relations personnelles avec les collègues, mais tout cela était moins important que l’idéologie et la morale.
Il va de soi, qu’en cas de conflit avec un subordonné, le chef hiérarchique turpide pouvait se venger en modifiant l’évaluation de celui-ci d’une façon défavorable.
L’abus d’alcool inscrit dans la « caractéristique » pouvait également signifier la fin de la carrière. On racontait cette histoire comme une anecdote, mais même si elle est inventée, cela reflète la façon ingénieuse dont on pouvait s’en sortir dans les cas difficiles. Voilà :
Dans une garnison militaire lointaine il y avait un capitaine qui était un vrai boit-sans-soif. Il était saoul tous les jours, dès le matin. Le temps était venu pour lui de changer de résidence. Son commandant devait donc lui donner une « caractéristique ». Facile à comprendre qu’il était confronté à un dilemme. Écrire dans le document que le capitaine était un buveur, un ivrogne, pouvait mettre la fin à sa carrière. Ne pas l’écrire – s’exposer aux sanctions pour avoir caché la vérité qui sortirait tôt ou tard. Le commandant, assisté par le chef de la cellule du Parti, a inséré la formule suivante : « Boit beaucoup, mais avec dégoût. »
Je reçois ma première « caractéristique » à l’occasion de ma promotion au rang d’attaché. Des années plus tard un fonctionnaire du département du personnel me montre le texte – c’est un geste de bienveillance, je ne suis pas censé lire ce qui est écrit là-dedans. J’apprends ainsi que quelques mots qui paraissent insignifiants, peuvent avoir une grande influence sur la carrière.
[1] Si l’on en croit l’écrivain soviétique Julian Semenov, auteur du fameux roman « Dix-sept instants du printemps », des formulations pareilles figuraient dans les dossiers personnels des fonctionnaires nazis en Allemagne hitlérienne. D’un autre côté, je ne peux pas exclure qu’en écrivant cela, il se moquait du régime soviétique, même s’il avait la réputation d’un serviteur fidèle de ce dernier.
In the world, many countries have built their famous brands of companies and products/services that have existed for hundreds of year. Those big brands contribute to creating national value, creating the position and strength of the country. For the Netherlands, there are famous names attached with their products/services that made Dutch value such as Royal Haskoning DHV, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V, Shell, Unilever, Heineken, Philips…
In the field of branding, Viet Nam is still a young country among members of WTO and very young compared to the Netherlands. When the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) came to Viet Nam in the 16th century to exchange goods, Viet Nam still did not have the same trade concepts at that time. After a century of war, it is understandable that the Vietnam national brand in general and Vietnamese products/services brands in particular are not known by the world. That is a big disadvantage of Viet Nam in term of global trade.
With the policy of proactive and active economic integration, over the past 18 years, Viet Nam has launched and implemented the Program “Vietnam National Brand” (Vietnam Value) to encourage businesses to build their own brands attached with their products or/and services to be recognized and honored as Vietnam value by the process of evaluating, selecting under specified criteria given by the government. The criteria set out for the program are also the basis for each business to self-assess its own quality of products/services in order to build stable brands, to introduce them to the world market.
In the process of evaluating and honoring “Vietnam value” to any company, product and service, not only the criteria of quality, but also the research and development, the content of innovation in the production process, the use and policies toward labor and the impacts on the environment are also very important key points to take into consideration. Thus, to ensure product and service quality, the ultimate goal is always to serve people while protecting nature and the living environment.
We evaluate and honour Vietnamese brands every 2 years. In 2020, despite the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we held our 7th assessment with more than 1,000 businesses across the country. There were 124 enterprises with 283 products and services that met or exceeded the standards of the Vietnam National Brand Program and recognized them as Vietnam Value. This time, a large number of well-known brands have been recognized as Vietnam Value.
We honoured companies and their products/services under specific sector/industry such as, in textile and garment industry, we honour Viettien, Garment 10, Nha Be Company; in handicraft industry, we have Minh Long I Ceramic, Chu Dau Ceramic; in Food and Beverage sector, we have Vinamilk, Vinacafe, Vissan, Cholimex; in Rubber industry, we honored DRC, Casumina; in Construction materials, we have big names as Hoa Phat Group, Hoa Sen Group, Dong A Steel, Eurowindow, etc… Especially, there have been 15 companies who honored as Vietnam Value in 7 consecutive times. Most of the above groups/companies have exported their products to the Netherlands.
Whenever you see the ‘Vietnam value’ logo in three colours: blue, green and white printed in company profiles, brochures or media publications and in product packaging, you can trust and use that product or work with the business that makes it because all have been recognized by the Vietnam National Brand Program.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization Kunio Mikuriya in Brussel
On September 28, 2021, during a meeting to Brussels the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ruslan Kazakbaev met with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya.
During the meeting, Minister R. Kazakbaev informed about the upcoming First EU-Central Asia Economic Forum, which will be held in Bishkek on November 5, 2021. The parties discussed the possibility of holding a separate side event on the part of the World Customs Organization within the framework of the Forum.
At the meeting, special attention was given to the activities of the Regional Training Center of the World Customs Organization, which makes its significant contribution to the improvement of the professional qualifications of customs officers in the region.
The parties also discussed the opening of the Center for Professional and Cynological Training in Bishkek, which will give the region’s customs dog handlers an opportunity to receive additional opportunities to improve their skills and abilities.
The year 2021 marks the 130th anniversary of the publication of Philippines’ national hero Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo. His second novel, in English known as The Reign of Greed, was banned as a result of portraying colonial abuse and corruption. First published in September 1891 in Ghent (Belgium), it had a profound effect on Philippine society especially on views of national identity.
For that reason, Philippines’ ambassador to The Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Jose Eduardo Malaya, recently visited the commemoration – organized by the Knights of Rizal – Ghent Chapter in cooperation with the City of Ghent. The first Dutch translation of El Filibusterismo by Mr. Gerard Arp in 2019 was presented to the Mayor of Ghent, Mr. Mathias de Clerq, by ambassador Malaya and Sir Anton Lutter, KCR, chapter commander of The Hague chapter.
Ambassador Eduardo de Vega, Ambassador Eduardo Malaya, Sir Anton Lutter, KCR, Mayor Mathias de Clercq.
Amongst the many prominent guests attending were the Philippines’ ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, H.E. Mr. Eduardo J. de Vega, the regional commander for Europe, Sir Albert Arevalo, KGOR, the area commander for Belgium, Sir Jim Rebong, KGOR and from The Hague chapter the former Utrecht provincial assemblyman, Sir Steef Klarenbeek, KOR.
The event consisted of a reception at Ghents historical city hall, exhibition of Rizal’s works and a grand dinner preceded by the chartering of the Knights of Rizal Gomburza chapter, earlier in the day there was a flower offering ceremony at the Jose Rizal marker at the building where El Filibusterismo was printed.
Ambassador Malaya addressing the attendants at the historic city hall of Ghent.
In his speech at the historic city hall of Ghent ambassador Malaya highlighted the importance of the literary masterpiece El Filibusterismo and spoke of how Jose Rizal was inspired by the Dutch book Max Havelaar written by Multatuli.
Monday, 25 October 2021, Munich, Free State of Bavaria, Germany: On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp by the 7th Army of the US, Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder awarded the Bavarian Premier’s Flag Ribbon to the US Army European Command stationed in Bavaria during a ceremony held at the Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) of Munich Residenz, a former regal palace.
The award also recognized the contribution made over decades by the many thousands of US soldiers in Bavaria to securing peace and freedom. The event, which had to be postponed for a year due to Corona, was attended by US Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth, the President of the Jewish Community Dr. Charlotte Knobloch as well as the Head of Bavarian State Chancellery, Dr. Florian Herrmann, Minister of State for Federal and Media Affairs, among others.
Tuesday, 26 October 2021, Cetinje, Republic of Montenegro: President Milo Đukanović received for her accreditation in the capacity as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Manori Premila Unambuwe.
Ambassador Manori Unambuwe is resident in Berlin, Germany, where she was accredited on 20 August 2020. From Berlin, she covers bilateral relations to Switzerland, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Previous to her ambassadorship, Manori Unambuwe was Director of Information and Communication at the Technology Agency of Sri Lanka in Colombo.
She holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management from the Australian Institute of Business headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia.
ICC Prosecutor, Mr Karim A. A. Khan QC, concludes the preliminary examination of the Situation in Colombia with a Cooperation Agreement with the Government charting the next stage in support of domestic efforts to advance transitional justice
On 28 October 2021, in Bogota, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”), Mr Karim A.A. Khan QC, concluded a Cooperation Agreement with the Government of Colombia that renews the commitment of the Office to Colombia’s national accountability processes. This agreement reinforces and further defines the mutual roles the Office and the Government will undertake to ensure that the significant progress achieved by domestic prosecutorial and judicial entities, and in particular by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, is sustained and strengthened.
Following a thorough assessment, the Prosecutor is satisfied that complementarity is working today in Colombia. The Government of Colombia, together with the ordinary courts, the Justice and Peace Law Tribunals, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, civil society and the people of Colombia are to be commended for their resilience and determination in demanding justice and accountability in their quest for peace. The progress made has led the Office to determine that the national authorities of Colombia are neither inactive, unwilling nor unable to genuinely investigate and prosecute Rome Statute crimes.
In the course of his engagement with stakeholders, the Prosecutor emphasised that an assessment of complementarity should not, and cannot, be postponed indefinitely pending the completion of all possible domestic proceedings. To the contrary, the Statute and the Court’s case law are clear that the admissibility assessment must be carried out on the basis of the facts as they exist.
In light of this, the Prosecutor has determined that the preliminary examination must be closed. The absence of a preliminary examination does not, however, mean an end to the Office’s engagement with Colombia or its support to the accountability processes underway. To the contrary, it marks the beginning of a new chapter of support and engagement – an example of positive complementarity in action.
The closure of the preliminary examination does not detract from the reality that significant work is still required and that the institutions established must continue to be given the space to perform their constitutional responsibilities. The Government of Colombia commits itself to such continued support in the Agreement concluded today.
The signature of this Agreement – the first of its kind concluded by the Office and a State Party – breaks new ground by entering into a series of mutual undertakings to ensure that domestic transitional justice processes in Colombia remain on track.
On the part of the Government of Colombia, these commitments include: 1) safeguarding the established constitutional and legislative framework; 2) preserving and supporting existing structures operating to ensure accountability; 3) continuing to properly fund these structures and safeguarding their budgets; 4) protecting their independence and preventing any interference with their functions; 5) ensuring the safety and security of judicial and prosecutorial personnel as well as participants appearing before the different accountability mechanisms; and 6) promoting full cooperation and coordination between the different State entities involved, including between the Attorney General’s Office and the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. The Government of Colombia has also committed to informing the Prosecutor of the progress of domestic investigations and prosecutions. Colombia has also undertaken to facilitate access to relevant records and documentation in accordance with the Rome Statute and Colombian law.
For its part, the Office of the Prosecutor commits to support Colombia’s accountability efforts. Such efforts include continued dialogue and interaction with the Government of Colombia and State institutions, annual visits to Colombia, exchanging of lessons learned and best practices with national justice mechanisms.
Crucially, because the ICC is a permanent institution, the Agreement recalls that the Prosecutor may reconsider his assessment of complementarity in light of any significant change in circumstances. The Agreement is binding and of indefinite duration.
The signature of the Agreement and the consequent closing of the preliminary examination marks a new beginning, and also a paradigm shift, outside the preliminary examination, to allow Colombia and the Office of the Prosecutor to build upon a long lasting, sustainable relationship within the framework of the Agreement.
By H.E. Mr. Jian Tan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China
It was right on the Christmas day of 25th December last year that I arrived in the Netherlands. I believe, those of you residing in the Netherlands would not forget the heavy but beautiful snow of last winter. From time to time, I saw Dutch people, more often little children skating on the frozen canals and lakes, and I was quite impressed by their talents and skills of winter sports.
People often say that the Netherlands’ population size may be small, yet when it comes to speed skating, its strength is mighty. The Netherlands has a time-honored history of ice sports and has won numerous gold medals in the previous sessions of the Winter Olympic Games. As far as I know, many prominent Dutch athletes have already been qualified for the Beijing 2022 Games and started their training in Beijing. I would like to specially mention that in October, the “Experience Beijing” Speed Skating China Open kicked off at the “Ice Ribbon” in Beijing. It was the first testing competition and Dutch athlete ranked top among all the competitors.
A few days earlier, the lighting of the Olympic flame for the Beijing Winter Olympics in Olympia has signaled to the world that it is officially entering Winter Olympics time. And today, we are celebrating the 100th Day Countdown to the Beijing 2022 Games. From 4 to 20 February 2022, the 24th Winter Olympic Games will be held in Beijing, who will be the first city in history to host both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Guided by the principles of green, inclusive, open and clean, China has carried out all preparatory work with high standards and high quality. I would like to elaborate with three Ss to draw a clearer picture of Beijing 2022 Games.
The first S stands for simple, we have made full use of the existing conditions and resources, simplify the scale, and highlight the features of green and clean. The Beijing Organizing Committee has carried out the Sustainability Plan with the top priority on ecological preservation, resources conservation and environment protection. Beijing 2022 Games will be the first Games in history at which all venues are powered by green and renewable energy. Moreover, for the purpose of sustainability and frugality, all venues will be converted to sports centers that can be used by all citizens. In addition, China will combat corruption and uphold integrity in hosting the Olympic Games, tighten oversight of the preparations and adopt zero tolerance for doping so that the Beijing Winter Olympic Games will be “as clean and pure as ice and snow”.
The second S stands for safe, we have made great efforts to deliver a safe game and promote the spirit of positive health in the very time of Covid-19 pandemic. We will keep track of the evolving COVID-19 situation at home and abroad and learn from the prevention and control practices of Tokyo 2020, continuously improve the control measures so as to insure the safety of every athlete and spectator. In the broader picture, sport has long been recognized as a major contributor to positive health and well-being for participants. By upholding the spirit of Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together, it inspires people to tap into and show the best of themselves. We hope that Beijing 2022 Games could encourage more people to participate in winter sports, thus improve physical well-being of the public and inject strong impetus in the combat against Covid-19.
The third S stands for splendid, the Beijing 2022 Games will be a grand gathering for countries and a fair stage for athletes from all over the world to compete. The goal of the Olympic movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. And this very goal echoes with the mission of openness and inclusiveness of the Beijing 2022 Games. Athletes from all countries will feel welcome here in China, where they can show the splendor of winter sports on ice and snow. China is well-prepared and fully confident to bring another pleasant surprise to the whole world.
Sport is a universal language. At its best it can bring people together, regardless of their origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. In particular, when the whole world is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and terrorism, it comes as the “Noah’s Ark” that carries the common aspirations for a better and more harmonious world. To host Winter Olympic Games at this very moment is a vivid manifestation of building a community of shared future for mankind. China is ready to work with the rest of the international community to oppose the politicization of sports, demonstrate the new Olympic spirit of being “together”, render each other help and assistance in times of need. With joint efforts and support from the international society, we will overcome all difficulties and deliver a simple, safe and splendid Games.
China and the Netherlands have good cooperation in the field of sports, and frequent exchanges have been carried out in recent years. The year 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. I sincerely hope we can further expand and deepen cooperation in all areas, and in particular, sports. I believe Beijing 2022 Games will provide a great opportunity in this regard. In the Tokyo Olympics that ended this summer, the Netherlands won 36 medals in total, placed seventh in the overall ranking and topped EU countries, a really remarkable achievements. I’m looking forward to the excellent performance by the Dutch athletes in Beijing Winter Olympics and sincerely wish them get good records in advance. Marching towards 2022, together let’s go for a shared future.
