President Xi Jinping encourages children attending skiing winter camps at Genting Ski Resort as he inspects preparatory work for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Zhangjiakou City, North China's Hebei province, Jan 23, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

January 2017, Genting Ski Resort, Zhangjiakou

The Zhangjiakou site of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Chongli District is known as the best natural ski area in North China, and Xi was briefed about the ongoing work there on Jan 23, 2017.

Xi stressed that the general plan for the games should be prioritized. The president said Zhangjiakou's plans should be integrated into the wider plans for the games. "The construction of sports facilities must be professional, and supporting facilities should embody the characteristics of China and the local areas," Xi said.

Xi also visited national ski-team athletes, and was briefed about the training and competitions of the athletes. Winter sports are full of passion as they are hard, demanding, and fun to watch, said the president.

Xi noted that ice and snow sports lack popularity and competitiveness in China, and the country is set to fill this shortcoming by hosting the Winter Olympics. The president said he has lots of hope in the youngsters and encourages the country to leap forward in the next five years.