China's Vice Premier Liu Yandong is in the French city of Chamonix. That was the site of the first Winter Games, way back in 1924, and the Chinese official is there to inspect the city's ice and snow sports facilities and sign several cooperation bills, that will help Beijing, as it prepares to host the Winter spectacle in 2022.

Liu attended a press briefing along with several other Chinese and French officials. After the media session, it was time to get down to business and sign the new contracts. The Vice-Premier believes the Chinese capital can learn a lot from the French resort, which has continued to flourish as a winter tourist site, almost a century after hosting the Games.

The Beijing-Zhangjiakou event is seen as a way to introduce more Chinese citizens to the benefits of winter sports, in an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle, while also helping promote the Olympic movement. Liu Yandong believes this China-France cooperation can help the sports industry in both countries.