Zhangjiakou, the northern city set to co-host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games with Beijing said on Friday that it will have its Olympic venues ready by 2020.

All the construction will be completed by the end of 2020 when the city is capable of holding test events, said Zhangjiakou mayor Ma Yujun while releasing the city's five-year development plan.

Zhangjiakou will boost athletic proficiency and mass involvement in winter sports through professional training, high-level competitions and public activities.

Local personnel and volunteers involved in Winter Games-related work such as English and medical care will be trained, said the mayor.

The city will forge an ice and snow industry chain including tourism, equipment manufacturing and services.

"We will make breakthroughs in bringing in investments, technology and projects by strengthening communication and cooperation with Japan, South Korea, the US and some European countries," Ma said.

The city will also promote winter sports among primary and middle school students, and hold a variety of competitions to accumulate athletic experience, according to the China News Service.

Zhangjiakou's Chongli district hosted over 530,000 tourists during Spring Festival holidays, 25.8 percent growth over the same period last year.

Xinhua - Global Times