BEIJING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially awarded Xinhua News Agency a certificate in recognition of its status as an international news agency here on Friday.
On behalf of IOC President Thomas Bach, Anthony Edgar, chairman of the IOC Press Commission and director of the Media Operations Department, presented the certificate to Yan Wenbin, vice president of Xinhua News Agency, at a ceremony held at Xinhua's headquarters in Beijing.
Yan expressed appreciation to the IOC for its trust, saying Xinhua's coverage of the Olympic Games has entered a new stage after becoming an international news agency recognized by the IOC.
"Xinhua will strengthen cooperation with the IOC more closely, report on the Olympic Movement more comprehensively, objectively and truthfully, and play a more important role in promoting the progress and development of the Olympic cause in China and the world," said Yan.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Edgar said that the IOC attaches great importance to Xinhua News Agency and has high expectations on Xinhua in promoting the Olympic Movement across the globe in the future.
"The designation of Xinhua as an IOC recognized international news agency is a recognition of the importance and global reach of Xinhua's domestic, regional and global news and sports coverage. It is a recognition of the role Xinhua now plays - and will play in the future of producing the best possible coverage of the Olympic Games, the IOC and the Olympic Movement," he said.