Focus of Winter Games shifts to venues

Preparations for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games have reached a key phase in which the construction of most venues has started and the focus has shifted to operations and management of the venues.

"Good operation of the venues is the key to ensure the Games go smoothly, " Zhang Jiandong, a vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Olympic organizing committee, said on Thursday during the ongoing meetings of the 13th National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body.

Zhang sees 2019 as a key year to prepare for the 2022 Winter Olympics for both Beijing and Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, the two co-hosts.