Organisers have said the medals should conform to the core values and goals of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Designs must achieve a "beautiful appearance and artistic standard", with Beijing 2022 requesting that attention is paid to the materials required.

Beijing 2022 have said that designs should reflect the Organising Committee’s focus on sustainability.

The fusion between Chinese culture and technology should be included in the medal designs, organisers said.

It is hoped that recyclable materials and eco-friendly Torch designs can be produced by applicants to the competition.

A review committee will be established to assess the designs at the end of the application process.

An initial review will determine the top 10 designs for the Winter Olympic medals, with a second evaluation reducing the candidates to three.

Designers of the top 10 will receive CNY ¥10,000 (£1,100/$1,400/€1,300) before tax, with the top three receiving CNY ¥50,000 (£5,600/$7,000/€6,500).

The winner of the design competition is set to be awarded CNY ¥100,000 (£11,000/$14,000/€13,000).

The competition is the latest promotional event for the Games.

Beijing 2022 last year unveiled a panda and Chinese lantern child as mascots for the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The panda was named Bing Dwen Dwen and will be the Olympic mascot.

The Chinese lantern child will be the Paralympic mascot and has been named Shuey Rhon Rhon.

Beijing 2022 selected the designs at the conclusion of a global competition launched in August 2018, during an event marking 10 years since the 2008 Summer Olympics in China's capital.

A total of 10 designs were shortlisted, with the finalists receiving a financial prize.

Beijing 2022 say 5,816 projects were received, including designs from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

Designs also came from 35 countries on five continents.