China Orders 'Ostentation' To Be Banished From 2022 Winter Games

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said that organizers of the 2022 Winter Olympics must ensure the event is not tainted by "ostentation, waste or luxury," according to Ben Blanchard of REUTERS. Beijing, along with the nearby city of Zhangjiakou, "won the right to host the Games last year." The run-up to China's bid last year "was overshadowed by corruption investigations into a deputy sports minister who had sat on China's Olympics committee and the Communist Party boss of Hebei province, where Zhangjiakou is located, who had attended meetings of the bid committee." Zhang said it was vital money for the event was used "properly" and sparingly. Zhang: "Most certainly do not engage in ostentation, waste or luxury." China President Xi Jinping "has pursued a relentless campaign against deep-rooted corruption since assuming power three years ago" (REUTERS, 3/23).