Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the Samaranch Foundation (L, foreground) shakes hands with Pan Gang, chairman of Yili Group at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Expo in Beijing, August 8. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Samaranch Foundation announced in Beijing on August 8 that China's dairy giant, Yili Group, has become a new member of its board of directors.

As a prelude to the opening ceremony of the 2018 Olympic Expo, Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs, president of the Samaranch Foundation as well as Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded a plaque to Yili.

“Samaranch Foundation is happy to work with Yili, a dairy products partner of Beijing Winter Olympic Games and 2022 Olympic Winter Games to promote the Olympic spirit,” said Samaranch Salisachs at the opening ceremony.

He also expressed his warm welcome to this powerful partner.

Yili was the only Chinese enterprise invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Expo.

Pan Gang, chairman of Yili, believes that the Olympic spirit represents the constant pursuit of health and happiness, and links people across the world.

He noted at the ceremony that all the enterprises and units share the obligations of passing down the Olympic spirit.

“Yili Group will continue to promote the spirit by offering high-end, quality and all-round service to the upcoming winter Olympic Games,” added Pan.

During the past several years, Yili has been recognized at international sports events. Its cooperation with Samaranch Foundation will help the enterprise to expand its global influence.

The 2018 Olympic Expo, organized by the Samaranch Foundation and IOC, was held to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Juan Antonio Samaranch (L), Pan Gang (M) and Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the ceremony in Beijing, August 8 [Photo provided to China Daily]