UK Sport has signed an agreement with the Chinese Government to develop sports exchanges and promote international relations between the two countries.

　　The partnership will focus on collaboration in the areas of sports science and medicine, talent and coach development and drug-free sport.

　　The UK wants to develop some of the techniques that have seen China dominate table tennis and a number of other sports in recent years.

　　Several exchanges planned for 2007

　　Under the terms of the new agreement, several exchanges are planned for 2007, including visits to China by UK Sport’s Chief Executive, John Steele, and Director of Elite Sport, Liz Nicholl.

　　UK Sport is also working with the British Council on a Sports Science and Sports Medicine exhibition that will tour China throughout the year.

　　Sharing the latest techniques

　　Sharing the latest techniques and research in talent development and sports science and medicine should benefit both countries and help them improve in sports at which the other excels.

　　Chinese and British sporting strength

　　China is the emerging sporting superpower, with its sights firmly set on finishing top of the medal table in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008. This new collaboration should help them benefit from British expertise in sports such as cycling, rowing and sailing.

　　The UK wants to develop some of the techniques that have seen China dominate table tennis, gymnastics and diving – among other sports – in recent years.

　　Olympic Games hosts

　　UK Sport Chair, Sue Campbell, said, "As China and the UK are the next two host countries of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is especially important that we continue to strengthen our relationship as we prepare for the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.

　　"In addition, partnerships such as this promote good international relations and offer a real opportunity for us to learn from one another."

　　Leading the UK to sporting excellence

　　UK Sport’s purpose is to lead the UK to sporting excellence by supporting:

　　? Winning athletes

　　? World-class events

　　? Ethically fair and drug-free sport.

　　It hopes that the UK will be ranked in the world’s top five sporting nations – measured by athlete performances at world championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games – by 2012.

　　International development of sport

　　However, UK Sport also plays a key role in the global development of sport through ongoing exchange visits and information-sharing with other nations.

　　The organisation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share sporting expertise with five countries – Cuba, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Russia.

　　These agreements will not only assist the spread of sport around the world, but should also go a long way towards helping the UK achieve its aim of being one of the top five sporting nations in the world by 2012.　 (Source: British Consulate-General in Chongqing)