Vice-Premier Liu Yandong met with Sheik Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and head of the Olympic Council of Asia, in Beijing on Jan 13.

Liu congratulated the newly re-elected president and thanked him for his contributions to the Olympic Games as well as his support to China concerning sport development.

The government will continue to support the development of sports and is always willing to play a role in promoting the Olympic movement, Liu said.

Sheik Ahmad confirmed the progress China has made in recent years and said the government had played a positive role in supporting the Olympics.

ANOC, established in 1979, is a coordinator of 205 Olympic committees around the world. Seeking to protect and advance the interests of these committees by delivering assistance and support, ANOC cooperates with the International Olympic Committee to boost sports development.

Sheik Ahmad visited China days after Beijing submitted its 2022 Winter Olympic Games bid to the International Olympic Committee.

Being in a two-city race with Almaty, Kazakhstan, Beijing is waiting for the final decision on the host city which will be announced on July 31 during an IOC assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.