City to be first renewable energy pilot zone

Zhangjiakou in the northwest of Hebei province has been approved as the country's first renewable energy pilot zone, an initiative that could also help Beijing resolve its air pollution problem.

Beijing and Zhangjiakou have jointly applied to co-host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee will select the 2022 host on Friday.

The city, about 200 kilometers from Beijing, has abundant wind, solar and biomass resources and has set a goal to establish a world leading "low-carbon Olympic zone".