In 2022 Beijing Hosted the Winter Olympics, Becoming the First City to Host Both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

How has China Used the Beijing Winter Olympics in its Development Strategy?

‘‘Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China has witnessed a significant rise in the popularity of ice and snow sports. In preparing for the Olympics, China adopted an inclusive, green and open development approach, aiming to create lasting social and economic benefits by encouraging nationwide participation in winter sports.

Given the importance of infrastructure in winter sports development, China built various facilities across the country during the preparations for the Olympics to make winter sports more inclusive and diverse. For example, to ensure a barrier-free environment at the Beijing Winter Paralympics, China built around 14 million barrier-free facilities for the Games.

China also saw a significant increase in winter sports venues during preparations for the Games, according to the International Olympic Committee. By the end of 2020, there were nearly 1,200 ice rinks across the country, up from 609 in 2018. At the start of 2021, China had 803 ski resorts, a 41% increase over 2015. Additionally, 2,897 primary and secondary schools across China had incorporated winter sports and Olympic and Paralympic education into their curriculum by the end of 2021, helping students pursue both athletic and academic goals.

China's intensified efforts have yielded remarkable results. Since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, about 313 million people have engaged in ice and snow sports or related leisure activities in China, accelerating the industry's growth and boosting tourism.’’ – This is an excerpt from the Ghana Centre for China Studies (GCCS) publication titled ‘‘China’s expanding ice and snow market offers global opportunities’’ published in a joint collaboration with the China Internet Information Center.

BRIDGING CULTURES: BRITISH COUNCIL REPUBLISH OUR WORK

The British Council republished our article on China’s film industry authored by the leading expert at the Ghana Centre for China Studies. Titled ‘‘connecting the world through film: why is china making headway?’’ the article was published in collaboration with CGTN.

Tourism Investment Key to Tackling Global Challenges

This is an excerpt from the publication on global tourism investment authored by the founder of the Ghana Centre for China Studies, Alexander Ayertey Odonkor and originally published by The World Magazine, the official publication of the UK-based World Tourism Forum Institute, and its event brand the Global Tourism Forum, the world’s leading tourism summit.

Cover page of the 13th Issue of the World Magazine, the official publication of the World Tourism Forum Institute.

In December, 2024 Alexander Ayertey Odonkor became the first expert from Ghana and one of the few African economists to be invited by the World Tourism Forum Institute and the Global Tourism Forum to contribute to The World Magazine.

Here’s an excerpt from the publication

‘‘The travel and tourism (T&T) sector faces formidable hurdles in a world fraught with myriads of global challenges including climate change and geopolitical tensions. However, as is often said, ‘‘In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.’’ Global challenges present countries worldwide with an unusual opportunity to collectively transform businesses and communities, and concurrently restore and protect the natural environment. By leveraging international cooperation to help spur inclusive and sustainable global growth and development, countries around the world have the opportunity to provide lasting solutions to daunting global challenges. For T&T, considered a potent driver of global growth, concerted effort to foster tourism investment worldwide, and make the sector more inclusive, innovative and sustainable aligns with international attempts to address global challenges.’’

Find out more: Tourism Investment Key to Tackling Global Challenges’’ (See pg. 60)

This publication is a joint collaboration between the Ghana Centre for China Studies (GCCS), the World Tourism Forum Institute (WTFI) and the Global Tourism Forum (GTF).