The stories that shaped 2017
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 Olympic countdown
Beijing's preparations to host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics really kicked into gear over the last 12 months, with construction beginning on new competition and non-competition venues, the addition of five new marketing partners and the unveiling of official emblems and commemorative stamps for the Games. President Xi Jinping issued direct instructions on the preparatory work, urging organizers to host a green, open-minded and corruption-free Olympics during an inspection visit to co-host city Zhangjiakou, Hebei province in January.
    
    





















