The host nation has targeted getting 300 million people involved in winter sport in the six years leading up to the Games, according to Reuters. 

To meet this effort, China’s National Development and Reform Commission have revealed a plan to build 500 ice skating rinks and 240 ski slopes.

A mix of Government and private funding is set to be used to achieve the construction targets, with the hope the facilities will aid the Chinese Olympic team.

China were 12th on the medals table at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, earning three gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Seven were earned in speed skating and short track events, with freestyle skiing the source of the remaining medals.

China are hopeful of closing the gap to leading nations prior to hosting the Games in six-years time.

They have already sought to improve their lowly men’s ice hockey world ranking of 37th, with the Beijing based Kunlun Red Star team now included in the largely Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

The side is made up of a mixture of foreign imports and Chinese talent.

It is hoped their participation will act as the first step in the development of a national team to represent China in Beijing in 2022.

The league is considered the second best ice hockey league in the world behind the National Hockey League and also includes teams from Belarus, Croatia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Slovakia.