Beijing, with co－host Zhangjiakou in neighboring Hebei Province, will host the 2022 Winter Olympics. That will benefit the capital as well as its residents (居民), so the below are something to be expected from the Winter Olympic Games.
Blue skies
It is highly expected that hosting the Winter Olympic Games will push Beijing to reduce pollution and improve the air quality more effectively.
Beijing began carrying out a five－year plan from 2013 that cost 130 billion US dollars to upgrade heating systems, cut car emissions (排放) and close heavy－polluting factories. Such efforts will not only be made in Beijing but in a neighboring Hebei and Tianjin as well, as suggested by a development action plan to integrate (结合) the three places. Hopefully, blue skies will become a regular feature even after the Games.
Transportation
Although Beijing is the host city of the 2022 Winter Games, Chongli county of Zhangjiakou will host some of the snow events.
The capital region is likely to benefit from investments in infrastructure (基础设施), including the Beijing－Zhangjiakou intercity railways, expansion of Beijing subway systems, upgraded highway networks and another regional airport.
Winter sports
Beijing's vision is to develop a winter sports market for more than 300 million people in northern China.
With a rich legacy left by the summer Olympics, China plans to reuse 11 of 12 venues built for the 2008 Olympics and only needs to build a new rink for speed skating, effectively easing possible problems of facilities (设施) being left idle after the Games.
Transformation (转变)
On the back of the Winter Olympics, the Beijing municipal government is looking at fostering sports－related industry as a new growth driver to power its economy.
The goal is to integrate
the Winter Games with sustainable development plans for the wider region, focusing on clean energy, green technology, and improvement in ecology
and air quality.
Tourism
The country's plan to develop a winter sports industry will enhance Zhangjiakou's reputation as a tourist destination by upgrading its transportation system and facilities, such as hotels and restaurants.
