Construction starts on key Beijing 2022 Winter Games venues

The design phase of the Yanqing Zone — one of the three venues for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics — has been wrapped up and construction has begun, it was announced Thursday.

Yu Dequan, head of the zone's construction office, said 50 percent of the National Alpine Ski Center is slated for completion this year, along with 35 percent of the National Sliding Center.

He said by the end of 2019, the National Alpine Ski Center will comply with International Olympic Committee requirements.

In addition to the two sports venues, the zone will include an Olympic Village and a media center.

The Olympic Village will have 1,430 beds for athletes and government officials. After the 2022 Games, the village will be used as a resort hotel for winter sports enthusiasts.