It turned out that a few days ago, the ships of Coubertin and his group boarded by the International Olympic Committee had arrived in the South China Sea and docked in Borneo, sending a telegram to Qingdao. After consultation, the Qingdao Executive Yuan decided to let Coubertin and his group stay in Shanghai first, and arrange for Wang Jun, Chairman of the Cultural, Education and Health Committee, to hold talks with Coubertin in Shanghai.

The first arrangement of Coubertin to stay in Shanghai was because Shanghai is currently the most economically developed and modern city in China. As the first stop for receiving Coubertin, it can show the best side of the East China government; the second reason is that this time Coubertin’s visit was just a few telegrams communicated by the consulate, which was really too lacking in the early preparation. Therefore, when receiving Coubertin in Shanghai, you can discuss some things first, or talk about them to each other, which is a front stop for your trip to Qingdao.

Since the East China Government has not yet been in charge of sports institutions, there is naturally no corresponding official with Coubertin. Wang Jun is responsible for culture, education and security, and sports also falls within this scope, so Wang Jun can only meet Coubertin. Although the specifications are a little higher, Wang Jun's position is equivalent to that of the cabinet members of European countries, it can also show the sincerity of the East China Government and its attention to Coubertin. The Shanghai Municipal Government naturally wants to grandly receive Coubertin and his party to show China's hospitality and etiquette.

So Coubertin and other passenger ships from the International Olympic Committee arrived in Shanghai and were warmly welcomed at the dock. Shanghai specially organized lion dances and dragon dances to show enthusiasm, and also showed traditional Chinese sports activities to the members of the International Olympic Committee. This also opened the eyes of Coubertin and others.

Before this trip to China, Coubertin and others also did a lot of homework, because the East China Government was not the Qing court. It had just won the Far East War a few years ago and is now an important regional power in the Far East. Therefore, the East China Government must not be regarded as the Qing court in the past, and they must be given enough respect. At the same time, after carefully understanding some knowledge of China's history and culture, Coubertin had to admit that Chinese civilization is an existence that is absolutely not inferior to European civilization. It cannot deny the greatness and glory of Chinese civilization because of the ignorance, backwardness, and humiliation of the Qing court over the past 60 years.

Coubertin's vocation was precisely this kind of understanding, so when he saw this celebration and expression activity with a strong folk style, he did not think it was a primitive play, but an exotic style. He even thought it was an activity that integrated dance, competition, religious sacrifice, bionics and entertainment. As a result, when asked Coubertin and his party to give the highlight of the day's lion, they all agreed happily.

On behalf of the East China Government, Li Songchen delivered a speech to Coubertin and other International Olympic Committees, and welcomed their visit. He also wished the International Olympic Committee and his delegation a success in their visit to the East China Government. He also highly praised the Olympic spirit guided by Coubertin.

Coubertin also delivered a simple speech, which was highly praised by Chinese historical civilization, expressed sympathy for the aggression China has suffered for nearly a century, and also resented the aggression. At the same time, congratulated China on gaining national independence under the leadership of the East China Government. Of course, this paragraph was also brief, and it was only a general responsible for the aggression, but did not mention the names of the invading countries. After all, among the invaders, there was Coubertin's motherland France. Of course, speaking of this step was considered to be a perfect match.

After the welcoming ceremony at the dock, a car took Couberdan and his party to the hotel, and on the same night, a grand welcome dinner was held for Couberdan and his party. Most of the veterans who started their own businesses in Shanghai attended the meeting, as well as consulates from various countries in Shanghai, as well as staff from various industries such as Shanghai's industry, business and art.

Although the Olympic Games founded by Coubertin refused to intervene in business, and athletes participating in the Olympic Games must be all amateur athletes, in normal social occasions, Coubertin does not reject meeting with industrial and commercial giants. On the one hand, Europe itself is a business society; on the other hand, Coubertin himself is also a noble family, so Coubertin cannot completely leave business. Moreover, Coubertin is also a veteran of social interaction, behaves elegantly, deals well with it, and looks elegant. Of course, the International Olympic Committee and his delegation talk about Chinese food.

The welcome ceremony was that both the guests and the hosts had a happy ending. Next, Wang Jun negotiated with Coubertin on behalf of the East China Government. However, the consultation between the two sides did not encounter any obstacles. On the one hand, the International Olympic Committee did want the East China Government to participate in the Olympics, and the East China Government also had the intention to participate in the Olympics. The goals of both sides were consistent, so the talk would naturally go smoothly. On the other hand, no country in Europe strongly prevented the East China Government from participating in the Olympics. Although Britain and France had expressed opposition, the attitude was not strong, and there were also Germany and Austro-Hungarian Empires. In addition, this Olympics was held in Sweden and had nothing to do with Britain and France. Therefore, there was no big obstacle in the International Olympic Committee.

There are no obstacles to participating in the Olympics. The only restriction on participating in the Olympics is to prohibit professional athletes from participating. However, the current East China government, let alone professional athletes, does not even have professional athletes unique to China in the old time and space. It is considered a standard amateur sports meeting and fully meets the standards of the Olympics.

So the two sides reached an agreement that the East China Government decided to participate in the fifth Olympic Games held in Sweden, and the problems encountered by the East China Government in participating in the Olympic Games were resolved by negotiation between the two sides. The first thing to determine is that this time the participation of the Olympic Games in China was discussed in the name of China. After the official founding of the East China Government, it was changed to a formal national name. This is the principle that the East China Government must adhere to when interacting with foreign affairs. Even if the diplomatic institutions established in various countries are only consulates, the official names are all China rather than the East China Government. Although the Qing court had protested, some countries ignored them at all, while others said that the Qing court's national name was the Qing Dynasty and the East China Government's national name was China. This is nothing wrong. In fact, such as the national flag and the national anthem, the East China Government itself determines it, as long as it is reported to the International Olympic Committee before the Olympic Games begin.

However, at the end of the negotiation between the two sides, Coubertin proposed that Japan also applied to the International Olympic Committee, hoping to participate in the fifth Olympic Games. What attitude does the East China government have regarding this? Whether it accepts competing with Japanese athletes on the Olympic Games.

It turned out that after the news that the International Olympic Committee invited the East China government to participate in the fifth Olympics spread, it would be the first time that Asian countries participated in the Olympics and the first time that the Olympics gathered in five continents. Britain, France and other countries did not strongly oppose this, but Japan became anxious first. At this time, Japan was still arguing about whether to participate in the Olympics. The supporters believed that this was an opportunity for Japan to integrate into the international community and show the world the national style and national spirit of Japan to the world. Opponents believed that the Olympics were a game for Europeans, and had nothing to do with Japan, and there was no need to participate.

However, after learning that the International Olympic Committee invited the East China government to participate in the fifth Olympic Games, Japan immediately reached a conclusion that Japan must also participate in the fifth Olympic Games. This matter must not be lost to the East China government. Therefore, Japan immediately asked the British government to mention Japan's intention to participate in the fifth Olympic Games to the International Olympic Committee.

For the International Olympic Committee, of course, the more countries participating in the Olympic Games, the better. It is naturally better to have two representatives in Asia in the fifth Olympic Games than to have only one representative. However, Japan and the East China Government are still hostile. It is indeed a bit troublesome to participate in the fifth Olympic Games at the same time. Of course, among the two countries, the International Olympic Committee attaches more importance to the East China Government, so I took this opportunity to consult the attitude of the East China Government.

Wang Jun said that politics belongs to politics and sports belongs to sports. The East China government attaches importance to the positive significance represented by the Olympic spirit and does not want political factors to interfere with sports. Therefore, the East China government has no objection to Japan's participation in the fifth Olympic Games. At the same time, it also hopes that athletes from both sides can uphold the Olympic spirit and compete on the same field in the Olympic field.

Coubertin was very satisfied with Wang Jun's reply, and was also very impressed by the East China Government's demeanor. The two sides had a great time in Shanghai. After the negotiations, the East China Government arranged for Coubertin and his party to visit schools, factories, famous architectural attractions, etc. during the visit to the school and factory. When Coubertin visited two football matches, dragon dances, lion dances, juggling and other performances.

Although the East China Government does not have a special sports organization, it attaches great importance to the development of national sports construction activities in society, because sports can not only improve the physical fitness of the people, but also establish the positive and enterprising social value orientation of the people. Therefore, the East China Government officially put forward the slogan of "develop sports and enhance people's physical fitness". It also withdraws special funds to build a large number of public sports facilities and sports venues to promote national sports training.

In this era, there was no entertainment activities, so sports are naturally a good way to spend time. Moreover, under the rule of the East China Government, the living standards of the people have also been improved to varying degrees. A considerable number of areas have solved the problem of food and clothing, while other areas have basically reached the level of half food and clothing, at least they will not starve to death. Therefore, most people also have enough willingness and conditions to engage in sports.
Chapter completed!