15 March 2012, Beijing - On the evening of 14 March 2012, China's Minister in charge of the General Administraion of Sport (GASC) and Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) President Liu Peng gave a dinner reception in Beijing in honor of Lord Colin Moynihan, President of the British Olympic Association. The two sides had a thorough discussion about the upcoming London Olympic Games, the Second World Olympic Sport Convention to be held in Moscow in April 2012 and the research and cooperation on the Olympic legacy.

Liu Peng extended a warm welcome to the BOA leader, saying that over the years the British and Chinese sports circles have maintained friendly ties through frequent exchanges in various fields. To prepare for the London Olympics, Liu noted, the Chinese Sports Delegation have set up an Olympic training camp in Leeds, where some 200 Chinese athletes in eight to nine sports will begin their pre-Games training in early July. "This is the first time we set up an Olympic training camp outside China," Liu added, "thanks to the great help and support given by our friends from various walks of life across Great Britain. We highly appreciate it."

Liu also gave a brief account of China's preparations for the London Games, and spoke highly of the preparatory work done by the London 2012 Organizing Committee. As he believed, "London will deliver a spectacular edition of the Olympic Games to the whole world."

Lord Colin Moynihan expressed his thanks to both the GASC and COC for taking time out to give him such a warm reception at a time when China's National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) annual sessions had just come to an end. As he put it, China and Great Britain have maintained very good relations in the past, and have worked more closely ever since the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. He said, "The Beijing Games not only offered the British athletes good service but also provided the London organizers with much experience in their preparation for hosting the Games. In the past few years we have sent many teams to China to learn from the Beijing Games organizers, and all of them have received a warm reception."

The BOA chief briefed his Chinese host about London's Olympic prepratory work, saying that they will do their very best to help Team China with its preparations in the leadup to the 2012 Games.

The two sports leaders also discussed such issues as the forthcoming Second World Olympic Sport Convention in Moscow and the study and cooperation on the Olympic legacy. Olympic legacy is a grand issue, added Liu, and if the two countries could make it a concrete subject through close cooperation it will be a significant contribution to the global Olympic Movement.

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