SCIO briefing on overall progress in preparations for Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022
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E-mail China.org.cn, November 1, 2021
China News Service:
High-quality urban operations are essential to the safe and smooth hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics as scheduled. Could you give some information regarding this? Thank you.
Cui Shuqiang:
Thank you for the question. Beijing is making all-out efforts to ensure the smooth running of the Games, a top priority for the city now and for some time to come. We have set up headquarters on city operations composed of an office, 14 working groups, and a command center for the opening and closing ceremonies. The secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee is the commander of the headquarters, and the mayor of Beijing is an executive commander. To coordinate work in the three competition zones, the headquarters also host the governor of Hebei province as another executive commander. Preparations are proceeding in an orderly manner.
While continuing efforts in epidemic prevention and control, we have formed 142 specialized teams to ensure the smooth operation of urban utilities around the competition venues and five teams responsible for the management of utilities around the three competition zones. These two kinds of teams will work together with teams for venue management to promptly deal with emergencies and better ensure the smooth operation of urban utilities. In particular, we have strengthened supervision concerning workplace safety and conducted safety inspection and checks for potential safety hazards in and around key areas. We have developed a specialized winter energy plan to ensure the supply of water, electricity, gas, and heating in the venues. We have improved the mechanisms for timely response to extreme weather and effective urban sanitation, snow shoveling, and garbage removal. The highway linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou's Chongli district has been put into operation. Now it takes only 50 minutes from Beijing's urban area to Yanqing district via the highway and one and a half hours from Yanqing to Chongli. Efforts are also being made to construct 274.4 kilometers of lanes exclusive for Beijing 2022. We have been improving transportation services on key roads, in transit hubs and stations, and around the venues. We have developed policies for the management of public transportation demands to ensure both the smooth running of the event and normal urban operations. We have also formulated emergency plans in response to different situations such as extreme weather, damage to transportation facilities, and crowded rail transit.
In terms of environment and landscapes, we have been improving the environment in key areas and linking-up roads, stepping up comprehensive environmental management, and building landscapes that integrate the elements of the Games, the Spring Festival, and folk customs. These measures aim to create a warm and convivial atmosphere for the Games. In addition, we have been implementing tasks in eco-environmental conservation for Beijing 2022.
In terms of meteorological service, we have established a joint consultation mechanism with China Meteorological Administration and other relevant departments. Together, we will pay close attention to certain types of weather, such as strong winds, cold waves, smog, and snow; release information about extreme weather in a timely manner; and provide an effective emergency response. We have been implementing measures to ensure good air quality in Beijing. As of Oct. 26, the city's PM2.5 density was 32 micrograms per cubic meter, the lowest over the same period in history.
The preparations for Beijing 2022 have entered a critical sprint period. Beijing will work together with Hebei to ensure the safe and smooth hosting of the Games as scheduled. Thank you.
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