Beijing's officials are looking forward to the hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics. (Photo : Reuters)
With the aim of providing efficient transportation, co-bidders Beijing and Zhangjiakou will be providing a non-stop service of the Beijing-Chongli high-speed rail route should the cities be awarded the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
This is according to bid officials who were at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday.
The service is expected to provide faster transportation link for both athletes and journalists who will go to and fro the Olympics Village in the Chongli County in Zhangjiakou and its Beijing counterpart.
Wang Xiaotao, the vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that travel time will take around 52.5 minutes during the Olympic Games.
Moreover, bid spokeswoman Wang Hui said during the media briefing that WiFi connection will be provided on the train for the convenience of the media men.
The Zhangjiakou Olympic Village is located in a key local ski industry area, which has earlier earned concerns from residents who worry about their possible relocation.
However, Gui Lin, Beijing Winter Olympic Games Committee facility planning director, clarified that the relocation was included in the urban development plan they crafted two years ago. In fact, some villages have already completed relocation before the bidding was made.
Gui further noted that whether there was a bid or not, all villages would still have been relocated. She said that relocation could aid in improving the standards of living of the local residents.
The relocation, which is expected to be completed in five to 10 years, will also help create more jobs.
Meanwhile, environmental expert Song Qiang said that the Bejing-Zhangjiakou bid's sustainable concept is not only mirrored in environmental protection but in social impact as well.
"We will take care of their rights and give them enough compensation as guaranteed by national laws and local regulations," Song remarked.
UPDATE: Beijing has been chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
