A senior IIHF official has claimed China competing in the men's ice hockey event at Beijing 2022 is a positive ©Getty Images

China participating in the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing can help grow the sport in the country, despite concerns over the standard of the team, a senior International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) official has claimed.

Fears regarding the quality of the Chinese men's side led to suggestions they may be removed from the competition at Beijing 2022, before the IIHF confirmed their place earlier this month.

Aivaz Omorkanov, the IIHF's regional vice-president for Asia and Oceania, predicted the team's appearance at the Games could have a positive impact on ice hockey in China.

"We hope that the Chinese national team's play [at the Olympics] will help grow the ice hockey game within the country and the region," Omorkanov said during the Olympic test event at Wukesong. 

"We will also have some further discussions during the next (IIHF) Council meeting about that. 

"But I think it looks good.

"I hope that after these Winter Olympic Games, we will use the chance to promote ice hockey in China."

Beijing held an ice hockey test event for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games last week ©Getty Images
Beijing held an ice hockey test event for the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games last week ©Getty Images

China have been drawn with reigning world champions Canada, the United States and Germany in Group A of the men's competition at Beijing 2022.

The Chinese side automatically qualified for Beijing 2022 as hosts, but IIHF President Luc Tardif raised concerns over the possibility of the home team being comfortably beaten in all of their matches, and the impact that would have on the tournament and the sport as a whole.

The IIHF and the Chinese Ice Hockey Association revealed they are "working together to schedule two games with the Chinese national team in a joint effort to evaluate the status of the team’s preparations for Beijing 2022".

Legendary ice hockey coach Dave King, who coached Canada at the head coach of the Canadian national team at the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Winter Olympics, warned earlier this month that China's men's team are likely to suffer "scary" defeats at the Games.

Omorkanov expressed confidence in the host's readiness for the ice hockey tournament following a test event in the Chinese capital involving local teams. 

"The main purpose of the test event is to check the venues, to build a good environment, to build good conditions for the players, for the match officials, for the staff, so the Winter Olympic Games will be in perfect condition," the former Kyrgyzstan international said. 

"We can clearly see that in general everything is good, but there are some small areas that need to be improved."