CNR:
A 1,000-day countdown activity was just held in Zhangjiakou to mark the preparations for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. How is Zhangjiakou's preparation for its part in the games?
Xu Qin:
Holding a successful Winter Olympics is of national significance, which is pushed by General Secretary Xi Jinping in person. The CPC's Hebei provincial committee and the provincial government have long adhered to their political duties to prepare for the games since it is a big project for the province. Secretary Wang Dongfeng just said that there will be 109 gold medals in the 2022 Winter Olympics, among which 51 will be awarded in Zhangjiakou.
Currently, the preparation is being carried out in an orderly manner. We have fully implemented President Xi's four concepts on hosting the games – green, sharing, open and honest – in a bid to make them a fabulous, unique and outstanding event. Under the leadership of the 24th Winter Olympics Leading Work Group, and with the guidance of the organizing committee for the 2022 Beijing and the supports of relevant ministries and commissions, Hebei will closely cooperate with Beijing to advance relevant work.
In terms of the construction of venues and supporting facilities, we organized nearly 80 domestic and foreign planning teams to roll out 10 special planning schedules and seven zoning plans over the past two years. In the display today, there is a designing plan for a new competition venue for the Winter Olympics.
Meanwhile, we have ensured that construction projects and their organizations are of high quality and high standards. Currently, the construction of 70 venues, out of 76, has been started, and the rest will be started this year to ensure they can be finished in time to meet the requirements of the test competitions and the games.
The high-speed railway train connecting Xizhimen of Beijing and Chongli of Zhangjiakou will come into operation. It will take about 47 minutes to reach the downtown of Zhangjiakou from Beijing, and 55 minutes to arrive in Chongli. This will make it more convenient for the winter sports lovers in Beijing to go to Zhangjiakou, and will provide good transport conditions for industries' relocation to Zhangjiakou and its neighboring regions. Zhangjiakou is a paradise for winter sports and a summer resort. The city welcomes you all.
The other guarantee measures are also proceeding as planned. The guarantee plans for traffic, security, accommodation, dining, medical care and volunteer services have already been made. In the future, the region's medical care will be very good, and the Peking University Third Hospital has set up its branch in Zhangjiakou. Sport medical care resources will also be expanded in the region. At the same time, the people's winter sports will develop fast, as winter sports teams will be organized to take part in relevant training of the national teams to provide better support for the sports resources of the country.
At the same time, we will promote the development of our winter sports industry. Two winter sports industrial bases have been planned in Zhangjiakou. Last year, 15 enterprises from the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Europe have registered in Zhangjiakou, and another 20 companies have signed contracts to invest in the region. This year, at least 20 companies will be registered and another 30 will sign investment agreement, which will help form the backbone of the winter sports industry. Currently most winter sports apparatus and wearable equipment are foreign brands and manufactured abroad. It is hoped that Zhangjiakou can foster the industry's booming into a new growth point while working together with Beijing on the Winter Olympics.
General speaking, we should host a successful Winter Olympics on the one hand, and develop Zhangbei into a powerhouse of the province, as Xi required. Zhangjiakou is a water source and ecological supporting zone for the capital. We are forging ahead according to the central authorities' requirements to ensure Zhangjiakou's ecological functions are well protected. That's all. Thanks.
