China will hold a 'safe, simple, splendid' Olympics, vows Xi

Guests and officials look at photos of venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games, at a media reception held by the Beijing Winter Olympics organising committee in Beijing on April 12, 2021. - AFP

BEIJING (Bloomberg): Chinese President Xi Jinping pledges to hold a successful Winter Olympics next year in Beijing, responding to challenges the event faces from the coronavirus pandemic and international criticism over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

"With the active support and participation of all parties, we’re confident about overcoming the impact of the pandemic and hosting a simple, safe and splendid Olympics, ” Xi told a gathering of ambassadors in Beijing that was covered by state television Wednesday (April 14) evening.