China's Xi says Winter Games must have no 'grandiose' projects

Money must be spent properly for the 2022 Winter Olympics that China is to host and no “grandiose” projects must be allowed, President Xi Jinping said yesterday, as he toured sites for the Games

Beijing: Money must be spent properly for the 2022 Winter Olympics that China is to host and no “grandiose” projects must be allowed, President Xi Jinping said yesterday, as he toured sites for the Games.

Beijing and Zhangjiakou won the right to host the Games in 2015. The only other city bidding was Almaty in Kazakhstan, after other competitors dropped out, citing costs and other worries.

While Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Games to wide acclaim, its bid for the Winter Games was dogged by concern over many issues, such as corruption, city’s notorious smog, a lack of snow and China’s poor human rights record.

Touring Zhangjiakou, where outdoor events like skiing will be held, Xi said costs must be kept under control, according to state news agency Xinhua.

“All projects must show the principle of the thrifty and intensive use of resources and the most effective use of resources,” it paraphrased Xi as saying.

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