An International Olympic Committee (IOC) evaluation commission began a five-day inspection tour in China on March 23, as the competition between China and Kazakhstan to host the 2022 Winter Olympics enters its final phase.
The commission will inspect 19 venues and supporting facilities and assess transport and infrastructure in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, a city in the neighboring Hebei Province. The two cities jointly bid to host the Olympics.
The committee concluded its inspection of the Kazakh city of Almaty in February, and the host city will be chosen on July 31.
After controversy over anti-gay legislation adopted in Russia before it hosted the 2014 Winter Olymics in Sochi, the IOC added an anti-discrimination clause to its contract with host cities.
Host governments are also obliged to protect human rights, labor, and the environment.
China was criticized over human rights issues during the run-up to the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, and Kazakhstan faces criticism from rights groups.