A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry revealed that Xi will be in Sochi from February 6 to 8, adding this is the first time a Chinese President will attend a major sporting event overseas.

"Mutual support is an important feature of China and Russia's strategic cooperation," said the spokesman.

"This shows the close friendship between the two leaders.

"We hope that Russia can successfully hold this Winter Olympics."

The announcement will come as a boost to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has seen a raft of world leaders pull out of attending events in Sochi.

They include United States President Barrack Obama, German President Joachim Gauck and French President François Hollande, while British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are also expected to stay away from the Black Sea Resort.

The heads of Canada, Belgium, Lithuania, Moldova and Georgia have also indicated they will be missing from Sochi 2014 as the row over the introduction of controversial anti-gay laws by Putin last year continue to cast a shadow over the Winter Olympics.

Last week, both the Finnish and Swedish Sports Ministers said they would not be going to Sochi in protest at the new legislation.

Their concerns appeared to be reinforced when Putin told a meeting of Sochi 2014 volunteers last week that gay people should "leave children in peace".

Joining Xi in Sochi will be the likes of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and King Willem-Alexander, while the leaders of Switzerland, Czech Republic and Latvia are also expected to attend.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will welcome the support of Xi Jinping at Sochi 2014 ©AFP/Getty Images




























FIFA President and International Olympic Committee member Sepp Blatter has promised to be in Sochi and criticised politicians and international figures for boycotting the Games, claiming they are "surrendering" and wasting an opportunity to use the event as a catalyst for discussion on Russia's human rights record.

The presence of the Chinese President in Sochi will not come as a great surprise considering the relatively close relationship between China and Russia.

China was steadfast in its support of Russia and Putin's refusal to allow military intervention from the West in Syria last year, while Xi reportedly attended a birthday party for Putin last October, where the pair shared vodka and sandwiches.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
January 2014: Killy advises Hollande to attend Sochi 2014 Paralympics Ceremony
January 2014: Blatter claims politicians boycotting Sochi 2014 are "surrendering"
January 2014: Finnish Sports Minister refuses to attend Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony
January 2014: Swedish Sports Minister to miss Sochi 2014 Opening Ceremony
January 2014: Dutch Prime Minister and King of Netherlands to break international trend and attend Sochi 2014