The launching ceremony of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. [Photo: bjnews.com]

China has launched the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

At the launch ceremony on Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said "to host a successful Winter Games is China's solemn commitment to the Olympic Family."

He also called it "an important move to push for the coordinated development" of Beijing and neighboring cities.

Zhang promised to take action to gradually reduce levels of hazardous pollution.

"We will use greater determination, greater vigor and better moves to prevent air pollution in Zhangjiakou, the Beijing-Hebei-Tianjin region, the Yangtze River Delta area, and the Pearl River Delta. We will take action to bring down the PM 2.5 and PM 10 and will gain the trust of the people,"

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the organizers to "work harder to host a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Games."

IOC President Thomas Bach sent a congratulatory letter to the organizing committee.

A detailed task agenda is expected in the near future. Beijing previously hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics.