Foreign media given peek behind gala

Karim Badolo, a reporter from Burkina Faso, said the interviews enabled him to better understand how China is preparing for the 2022 Games, adding that the new skating facility looks "impressive and extraordinary".

"I think China is going to do marvels in terms of its preparations and arrangements for the next three years and the world will be shocked by how China is going to pull this task off," said Seddiq Hussainy from Afghanistan Times.

As a registered reporter for Tuesday's 70th anniversary celebrations, Hussainy also said he is really looking forward to witnessing the "amazing day".