Beijing puts in one billion yuan to protect cultural relics

(BEIJING, January 8) -- Beijing has allocated one billion yuan (about 13 million U.S. dollars) to protect its cultural relics in the past eight years.

This sum is equal to the total amount spent for the purpose in the 110 years before 1990, and the beneficiary objects have an area of 500,000 sq meters, the China Press quoted Kong Fanzhi, director of the Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Bureau as saying.

The restoration program covered many world-renowned sites such as the reconstruction of Yongdingmen Gate; the repairing of the Tower of Buddhist Incense in the Summer Palace; the repainting of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven; the repairing of the Ming Tombs; and more than 140 imperial parks, religious buildings, residences of celebrities and city walls.

The most significant project to carry out the concept of the "People's Olympics" was initiated five years ago, when 600 million yuan was appropriated by the government and another five billion yuan was collected through the mobilization of social resources. As such, the basic structure of the historic and cultural city was reinforced, following the renovation of a series of important sites such as the Temple of Heaven; the Peking Man site at Zhoukoudian; the Ming Tombs; the Imperial Temple of emperors of Successive Dynasties; and the Confucius Temple.

One notable example is the restoration of Beijing's 7.8km central axis, which stretches from Yongdingmen Gate in the south and the Drum and Bell Towers in the north. Called "the spine of Beijing," the axis became a line without a southern end after the Yongdingmen Gate was torn down in 1957. However, the newly built gate on the original site rejuvenated the axis. The landmark gate shines in correspondence with the Olympic Green in the extended line of the axis' northern tip where many Olympic projects are located.

Several historic sites have been salvaged during the construction of Olympic venues, Kong said. The site of the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center had to be relocated to yield to the centuries-old Niangniang Temple and the Dragon King's Temple. The temples were originally built for the worship of a Taoist fertility goddess and a dragon deity who controls rain and rivers, respectively.

To protect the historic sites from unnecessary interferences, more than 800 organizations and over 14,000 households were relocated to create favorable conditions for their restoration.

In addition, the city has paid attention to the protection of traditional residential places such as Hutongs (alleyways). Today 658 Hutongs are marked with protection signs.

Altogether, Beijing now owns a total of over 3,500 unmovable cultural relics, including six World Heritage sites. Ninety-eight of them are under state protection and another 224 are under municipal protection.

In June, two months ahead of the Olympics, the refurbishing of the most important cultural site on the central axis -- Taihe (Supreme Harmony) Hall of the Forbidden City -- will be complete, and the famous Qianmen Street will be unveiled as a booming commercial center.

Launching Your Olympics Journey

Ticket reservation should be your first concern in watching the Olympic Games. The official ticketing website of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad is now online. You may select your favorite games and plan your watching schedule. If you are our foreign friends, you might want to find out more about Visa Application etc in our Friendly Reminder which contain a summary of important reference information.

It must be a great concern for you to choose and book a good hotel prior to your arrival to watch the Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing. It is important to have a warm bath and a comfortable sleep to recover from the tiring trips to the games or the scenic spots. Therefore, don't forget to book your lodging after buying the tickets. Lodging in Beijing is our link to Beijing Tourism Administration website which provides lodging information on various classes of hotels in Beijing.

When you arrive in Beijing, you will notice the smile on the face of the volunteers for the Spectator Services everywhere! In the arrival hall of the Beijing International Airport or at the exit of the railway station, you will be warmly received by the volunteers from the Spectator Welcoming Centre and be greeted with the smiling faces of the Information Consultants who will provide answers to all your inquiries. Furthermore, you will receive free information materials on the Games and the City of Beijing.

After settling the food and lodging, your next concern will be how to get to the Olympics venues. We have specially compiled three guides, namely, The Spectator Guide to the Olympics, The Spectator Guide to the Paralympics and The Obstacle-free Service Guide to the Olympics and Paralympics, which contain the locations, ichnographies, road maps, games schedules, spectator watching regulations, obstacle-free information facilities and services of the games venues for the Olympics and the Paralympics. You will receive a free copy of The Spectator Guide when you buy the tickets. Furthermore, there are eight language versions in PDF format for you to download.

At the Olympics venues, the smile of Spectator Services Volunteers will accompany you throughout your events watching. You may consult them if you have any questions, but we suggest that you go to the Venue Information Booth where the Information Consultants will be most delighted to answer all your inquiries. Our volunteers will also do their best to lend a helping hand in case your child should walk away and lose contact with you. Of course, the Information Booth is also a good meeting landmark for you to meet someone under the huge conspicuous "i" signboard.

After watching the games and walking along the streets of Beijing filled with the festive mood of the Olympics, you probably want to know more about the cultural information of this ancient yet modern city of Beijing. We are pleased to introduce you some of the most famous Places of Interest and Entertainment Spots. If you need to practice religious services, we will provide information on the Religious Service Sites in Beijing for you to choose a suitable church or mosque. Shopping in Beijing and Dining in Beijing tell you where to shop for souvenirs and taste the finest Beijing cuisine.

Visit the other Olympics Cities is also a good idea. In the "Spectator Services" column, we will introduce you to the Olympic Sailing Competition Venue, Qingdao, Equestrian Competition Venue, Hong Kong, as well as the various Olympic Football Competition Venues, Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao. You may go and watch the games there or just go there for tour and we will also provide information on them for your convenience.

What a joy Beijing has to have visiting friends from afar! Today's Beijing is preparing to receive her friends and guests from all over the world with a brand-new look.

Photos: 'Water Cube' to make debut

The filled pool and the air bubbles on the roof are an integrated whole. (Photo credit: Xinhuanet)


The interior construction and decoration of the National Aquatics Center, dubbed the "Water Cube," are nearly complete, with the pool filled with water on January 10, 2008.

The spectacular venue will make its official debut in the China Swimming Open, the "Good Luck Beijing" swimming event from January 31 to February 5.

The diving platforms in the National Aquatics Center (Photo credit: Xinhuanet)

A worker cleans the seats in audience section of the National Aquatics Center on January 9, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhuanet)

Photos: filled 'Water Cube' pool and air bubbles

he filled pool and the air bubbles on the roof is an integrated whole. (Photo credit: cnsphoto)


The photos taken on January 9 show the filled "Water Cube" pool and the air bubbles on the roof. The National Aquatics Center will be officially unveiled during the China Swimming Open, a "Good Luck Beijing" event to be held in the Center from January 31 to February 5.

The filled pool and the air bubbles on the roof is an integrated whole. (Photo credit: cnsphoto)

A worker's shadow is seen through the membrane in the structure of the National Aquatics Center, dubbed the 'Water Cube' on January 9, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

A security guard guards at the National Aquatics Center, dubbed the 'Water Cube' on January 9, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

Beijing sells affordable annual pass to scenic spots

(BEIJING, January 10) -- Starting from Thursday, Beijing will sell annual passes to 33 scenic spots in the city's suburban areas.

The valuable tickets are available to every local resident and foreigner in Beijing, local media reported.

In recent years, Beijing has promoted sightseeing in the parks of the city's core areas by providing cheaper annual tickets. The new measure applies to the scenic spots which are rather distant to those people living in downtown areas. Today, these destinations can be reached through increasing means of public transportation.

The new tickets on sale are 60 RMB (approximately 8.2 US dollars) for the elderly (residents aged over 60 years) and for school and college students; 100 RMB (13.7 US dollars) for everyone else, including foreigners. Ticket-holders can go to the spots as many times as they like within the year.

Media accreditation for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in the Mainland of China begins

(BEIJING, January 10) -- The media accreditation for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in the Mainland of China begins today, according to BOCOG.

Media outside of the Mainland of China (including the media from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) are welcome to Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.

To cover the Olympic Torch Relay outside the Mainland of China, media can communicate directly with the city task force in each relay host city for media accreditation.

To cover the Olympic Torch Relay in the Mainland of China, media can apply to BOCOG. The Beijing Olympic Media Centre will process media applications. Media centres in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities will provide support to media.

In addition, a Service Guide of Coverage of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay for Media outside the Mainland of China is published on website today to facilitate the coverage of the Olympic Torch Relay. The Guide compiles of 4 sections, regarding media policy, accreditation process, and services for the relay in the Mainland of China and access to official information.

(Related link: Service Guide of Coverage of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay for Media outside the Mainland of China)

On March 24, 2008, the Olympic flame that represents peace, friendship and hope will be lit once again in Olympia, Greece. As the prelude to the Beijing Olympic Games, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay marks a significant step in public's anticipation of Beijing Olympic Games.

Under the slogan of "Light the Passion, Share the Dream", the Olympic flame will embark on a "Journey of Harmony" by visiting 21 cities on the five continents, and travelling across all 31 Provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities in the Mainland of China. The Olympic flame will also reach the world's highest mountain -- Mt. Qomolangma before it arrives at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to light the main cauldron on 8 August 2008. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay, with the participation of more than 20,000 Torchbearers, the duration of 130 days, and a distance of approximately 137,000 km, will be remembered as the one that covers the longest distance and the widest geographical expanse and that involves the largest number of participants in the history of the modern Olympic Movement.

Beijing puts in one billion yuan to protect cultural relics

(BEIJING, January 8) -- Beijing has allocated one billion yuan (about 13 million U.S. dollars) to protect its cultural relics in the past eight years.

This sum is equal to the total amount spent for the purpose in the 110 years before 1990, and the beneficiary objects have an area of 500,000 sq meters, the China Press quoted Kong Fanzhi, director of the Beijing Cultural Relics Protection Bureau as saying.

The restoration program covered many world-renowned sites such as the reconstruction of Yongdingmen Gate; the repairing of the Tower of Buddhist Incense in the Summer Palace; the repainting of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven; the repairing of the Ming Tombs; and more than 140 imperial parks, religious buildings, residences of celebrities and city walls.

The most significant project to carry out the concept of the "People's Olympics" was initiated five years ago, when 600 million yuan was appropriated by the government and another five billion yuan was collected through the mobilization of social resources. As such, the basic structure of the historic and cultural city was reinforced, following the renovation of a series of important sites such as the Temple of Heaven; the Peking Man site at Zhoukoudian; the Ming Tombs; the Imperial Temple of emperors of Successive Dynasties; and the Confucius Temple.

One notable example is the restoration of Beijing's 7.8km central axis, which stretches from Yongdingmen Gate in the south and the Drum and Bell Towers in the north. Called "the spine of Beijing," the axis became a line without a southern end after the Yongdingmen Gate was torn down in 1957. However, the newly built gate on the original site rejuvenated the axis. The landmark gate shines in correspondence with the Olympic Green in the extended line of the axis' northern tip where many Olympic projects are located.

Several historic sites have been salvaged during the construction of Olympic venues, Kong said. The site of the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center had to be relocated to yield to the centuries-old Niangniang Temple and the Dragon King's Temple. The temples were originally built for the worship of a Taoist fertility goddess and a dragon deity who controls rain and rivers, respectively.

To protect the historic sites from unnecessary interferences, more than 800 organizations and over 14,000 households were relocated to create favorable conditions for their restoration.

In addition, the city has paid attention to the protection of traditional residential places such as Hutongs (alleyways). Today 658 Hutongs are marked with protection signs.

Altogether, Beijing now owns a total of over 3,500 unmovable cultural relics, including six World Heritage sites. Ninety-eight of them are under state protection and another 224 are under municipal protection.

In June, two months ahead of the Olympics, the refurbishing of the most important cultural site on the central axis -- Taihe (Supreme Harmony) Hall of the Forbidden City -- will be complete, and the famous Qianmen Street will be unveiled as a booming commercial center.

Welcome to Beijing

In 2008, when you are at the grand occasion of the Olympic Games with the theme slogan of "One World One Dream", you will also find yourselves experiencing the oriental ancient civilization of Beijing.

Beijing was the capital city of the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties of China. The largest palace of the world, the Forbidden City, is located on the central axis of Beijing city. Together with the Summer Palace - a royal park, the Great Wall, Beijing Royal Quadrangle Courtyard etc, Beijing has 7300 cultural relics and historical sites, as well as more than 200 scenic spots.

Beijing, the Capital City, is the political, cultural and diplomatic centre of China. It has become a modern international cosmopolitan city with more than 11 million people. The Capital International Airport, 23.5 km from the city centre, is China's largest and most advanced airport. There are close to 40 five-star hotels in Beijing and the international direct distance dialing can reach 240 countries and regions.

August and September are the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Beijing, with the highest temperature around 30°C and the lowest temperature around 18°C. This is the best season of the year in Beijing when the sky is blue and clear. The city feels especially spacious and airy when the distant lofty Yanshan Ridge could be seen from the height of the Forbidden City. Beijing can be said to have the charm of antiquity as well as the spirit of modernity indeed.

5th Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival concludes (photos attached)

(BEIJING, July 15) -- The 5th Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival drew to a close with a rousing chorus of an Olympic song honoring Games volunteers Sunday evening, here in the Olympic City.

This year's festival is the last one prior to the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad next August 2008 and followed the mantra of "One World One Dream -- I participate, I contribute, and I enjoy" which integrated sport with culture.

The gala event brought together local pop stars and artists and among the 20 plus scheduled activities were large sport and cultural activities, Olympic Cultural Squares, films, forums, exhibitions, open-air concerts, and cultural activities for persons with a disability and the youth.

Present at the closing ceremony were:

-- Liu Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, and President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympaid (BOCOG);

-- Chen Zhili, State Councilor and BOCOG First Vice-President;

-- Sun Jiazheng, Minister of Culture, and

-- Yang Yuanyuan, Minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China.

Other officials from the central and municipal governments, as well as BOCOG, also attended the concluding ceremony.

Olympic content enriches Chinese education

(BEIJING, December 26) -- When Beijing won the right to stage the 29th Olympiad, BOCOG promised to launch an Olympic education program among the 400 million primary and secondary school students in China.

That came true at the end of 2006, when 556 schools across the country were listed as model schools for Olympic education. With the "Heart-to-Heart" program, over 200 schools were linked to their partners all over the world.

With an Olympic focus added to their curriculums, teachers and students found their school life more interesting. At Beijing Yangfangdian Central Primary school, a teacher gave out a unique extra-curricular homework assignment: count the gold medals that China grabbed in the Athens Olympic Games and figure out that percentage in the total number of gold medals awarded during those Olympics. That's not such a difficult question, but the assigning teacher needed to rack her brains before drafting her lesson plan.

To make a cup of muddy water clean is easy for Beijing Dongzhimen Middle School students. They used simple tools to filter the water. The experience gave the pupils food for thought: why not filter the used water at home and reuse it to save running water?

Such practice takes place almost daily in 200 model schools in China's capital city. A curricular system incorporating the Olympic content has been formed.

As part of their Olympic education requirement, Beijing's model schools have engaged in partnerships with schools recommended by the IOC affiliated Olympic Committees of 205 countries and regions in the world. So far 130 Chinese schools have found their counterparts, accounting for 62.2 percent of the total.

The program encourages the schools to conduct student-to-student communication and carry out a series of bilateral activities. In August, the host schools will greet their partner NOC athletic delegation at the Team Welcome Ceremony at the Olympic Village and support athletes at the competition sessions. Additionally, the corresponding delegation will also be invited to visit their partner schools in Beijing.

The Olympic Rings

"These five rings -- blue, yellow, black, green and red -- represent the five parts of the world now encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colours (including the white background) thus combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the French, English, American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolours, the yellow and red of Spain are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new China. It is a true international emblem."

Coubertin (Selected Writings II, p. 460, 1913).

As an image of Olympism, Coubertin thought the rings had deep significance: that of the union between men. He multiplied the image to create a total of five rings. He designed and commissioned the Olympic flag to mark the 20th anniversary of the IOC's founding, on 23rd June 1914 in Paris. Coubertin never said nor wrote that he saw a link between the colours of the rings and the continents. For him, the five rings represented the union of the five continents, but the colours were merely those that appeared in all the different national flags at the time.

-- The results of a survey carried out in six countries (Australia, Germany, India, Japan, Great Britain and the USA) in 1995 showed that 92% of those questioned correctly identified the Olympic rings, which made them the most-recognised symbol. They were followed by the McDonald's and Shell emblems (88%), Mercedes (74%) and the United Nations (36%). (SRI Sponsorship Research International).

-- 86% of those questioned associated the Olympic rings with the world's greatest sports event: the Olympic Games. (SRI Sponsorship Research International, 1995).

Volunteers' smiles warm the cold winter

(BEIJING, January 8) -- The Handball Tournament was the first “Good Luck Beijing” event in 2008. January can be bitterly cold in Beijing, but when you enter the gate of the Olympic Sports Center, volunteers will welcome you to the handball tournament with their smiles. In spite of their red faces due to the cold, their smiles make it feel like the spring is coming.

The volunteers for the handball tournament are university students. They were selected from thousands of applicants. The number of applicants for the “Good Luck Beijing” sport events is much higher than the volunteers required. Therefore, the selection criteria were quite strict. The volunteers have to be healthy and hardworking. According to various posts, they also need responding techniques and skills.

The volunteers’ first impression for the spectators is their smiles. Even if the volunteers have to stand in the freezing outdoors for more than half an hour, they provide services with warm smiles.

Since now it’s the flu high time in Beijing, many students caught a cold but they still keep on the posts. In order to protect those outdoor volunteers, the organizing committee gives a big sweater to them and the volunteers shift posts for about half an hour.

Wang Xianfeng, the volunteers’ manager told the volunteers that, “we are lucky to be together and I believe you have used your own actions to show your cherish for this opportunity. I hope you could keep such attitude in your daily life and use your own actions to win the sincere applause from other people.

Beijing Paralympic Games Media Service Guide released

Media Service Guide for accredited media organizations for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are released on the official website of BOCOG and the hard copies have been distributed via the National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to accredited press organizations.

The Guide prepared according to the guidelines of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) include the Press by Number Accreditation Guide, Media Accommodation Guide, Media Freight and Shipping Guide, Press Rate Card and Media Information, a publication with up-to-date information on the preparations for media services at the 2008 Paralympic Games.

The Media Operations Department of BOCOG distributed some 1,000 sets of Media Service Guide in all, which aims at helping media organizations to better understand the Media Operations preparations for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, so as to better prepare their coverage of the Games.

Sun Weijia, BOCOG's Press Chief and Director of Media Operations, said that the release and distribution of the Media Service Guide signaled the official inauguration of the integrated media services for the media and BOCOG will reserve no effort to assist all accredited media to achieve the best coverage of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will take place in Beijing, China from 6 to 17 Sepetmber 2008.

Please visit Beijing Paralympic Games Media Service Guide on the official website for further information.

Spectator Services -- the Smile By Your Side

Welcome to the Special Column "Spectator Services" for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad!

Hundred years' Olympic Games and the fulfilling of the Chinese people's dream. The Beijing 2008 Olympics has brought great expectation and inspiration to the world. To those who enjoy life, the Olympic Games is not just a world class comprehensive sports event, but a festivity created and celebrated by the people of the entire world. No matter where you are, you will be moved by the "faster, higher and stronger" Olympic spirit during the days of the Games, which will blossom into the joy of "peace, friendship, multi-culture and win-win situation" in your heart.

China has a long and profound history with a rich cultural heritage. The Chinese people are warm, hospitable and filled with zealous expectation for the grand occasion of the Olympic Games. This oriental ancient civilization shall have a close contact with the world at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. It is you, friends from all over the world that shall witness such a wonderful moment! For this reason, the BOCOG has specially set up the department of Spectator Services, in the hope of bringing you an extraordinary experience and unforgettable journey of the Olympics through our sincere smile and thoughtful service.

Olympic venue to transform within 17 hours

Photo Gallery>>

(BEIJING, Jan. 7) -- National Indoor Stadium (NIS) will serve as the venue for gymnastics, trampoline and handball during the Olympics. An intense schedule requires the working staff to transform NIS into the venue for handball within 17 hours after the close of the gymnastics events. It is the first time in Olympic history that a gymnastics venue is to be converted to one for handball.

On January 6, a rehearsal of the venue transformation was held. At 9:18 a.m., the transformation began with the installation of floor covering. In order to hasten the speed, 50 staff members formed two task groups. At 10:25, far ahead of the planned schedule, all the floor covering was successfully installed. The ensuing transformation work lasted until the afternoon.

This rehearsal was carried out under the assumption that all the equipment was already disassembled. According to the plan, a complete rehearsal of venue transformation will take place in May. As the working staff suggested, disassembly would take the majority of the time. The work includes disassembly of all the gymnastics apparatuses, including three platforms and five sets of competition equipment.

In order to complete the task, 17 hours will be divided into several units, with 10 minutes each. A detailed plan and schedule will be provided for each unit to ensure a successful transformation.

Over 1,500 kinds of flowers selected for Olympic use

(BEIJING, Jan. 7) -- Every Olympic host city has put forth its best efforts to ensure a successful international competitive atmosphere, while at the same time, showcasing the best the city (and the country) has to offer. In this respect, the Olympic Games staged in Athens has best embodied this concept; from the "welcome home" slogan to the appearance of Athena and Zeus during the opening ceremony to the olive branches, bouquets, and crowns offered to Olympic champions…Grecian culture exuded in the background of the Olympic Games.

As the Beijing Olympics draw near, what kind of flowers will decorate Olympic athletes taking a stand on the winners' podium?

On December 1, 2007, the Beijing Olympic flower distribution center was completely set up. During the Games, bouquets will be arranged daily here, to be sent directly and immediately in an air-tight vehicle to the Olympic venue.

According to Zhao Dongming, director of the Cultural Activities Department of BOCOG, about 3,000 flowers will be given away during the Olympics and 4,000 during the Paralympics, all of which will undergo strict inspection standards set by the organization. In addition, award presentations for events taking place in Qingdao and Hong Kong, which also require gifts of flower bouquets, will follow the same strict standardization process.　The flower distribution program has already been set up, but has not yet been officially released to the public.

Three years in the making

It took roughly three years to get the Olympic flower distribution program to the point where it is now. Starting in 2005, the city hosted annual flower design competitions and staged two seminars related to Olympic flower arrangements. Experts flocked to the capital with innovative ideas to create unique floral designs for the Olympic Games.

According to reports, the main flowers to be used in the bouquets for award presentations have already been selected. The floral arrangements are to be characteristically Chinese, capable of being enjoyed by local and ordinary citizens, and in line with international etiquette standards. Roses and various peonies top the favorites list.

1,500 kinds of flowers

Fresh flowers are everywhere to be seen and smelled in the Fengtai Flower Distribution Center. Here, over 1,500 kinds of flowers have been carefully selected for use in the many display areas and during the various kinds of Olympic ceremonies. In August, these high-quality flowers will be sent safely and accurately to the various Olympic venues.

The Center covers 2,600 square meters, and is set up for research and development, processing, production, packaging, and distribution. Already, there is a link between the Center and other flower centers throughout the country, wherein flowers can be sent directly to the base to be prepared for Olympic presentation, after which an air-conditioned vehicle will transport the end products to the Olympic venues.

To date, the Center is equipped with six air-tight vehicles to meet requirements for the "Good Luck Beijing" series of sports events. For the Olympic Games in August, that number is expected to rise to 30.

After the Games, the Center will still serve floral fans, customizing arrangements to meet the needs of customers, offering top service to local residents.

Consolidated strength to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games a great success

Photo Gallery>>

(BEIJING, January 3) -- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) will pour the utmost passion and make the utmost effort to fully carry out the goal of staging high-level Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with distinguishing features, thus wrapping the mission to a successful end, as entrusted by the Chinese government and people, BOCOG President Liu Qi stressed.

Liu Qi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, made remarks at BOCOG's fifth plenary session here on Thursday -- just 218 days from the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, and State Councilor and BOCOG First Vice-President Chen Zhili attended and delivered speeches at the staff meeting. Also present at the meeting were Liu Peng, Minister of the General Administration of Sport, President of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Executive President of BOCOG; and Guo Jinlong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Acting Mayor of Beijing and Executive President of BOCOG.

Addressing the meeting, Liu pointed out that under the direct leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and with the solid support base of the Chinese people, BOCOG has had a successful six-year run and stepped into the spotlight of the Olympic year 2008. The plenary session was mainly intended to implement the central government's directives on the preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games, and in line with the requirements of the 17th CPC National Congress, further strengthen confidence, gather strength, define the tasks, and work hard to carry through the goal of hosting high-level Olympic Games and Paralympic Games with distinguishing features.


At the meeting, Liu summed up the Games preparations in 2007 and laid plans for the main tasks in 2008. He pointed out that 2007 was a crucial year in the course of the Games preparations. The 17th CPC National Congress recognized the Games preparation and organization as a task of the Party and the country and explicitly put forward the requirement of organizing the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games well. The directives and requirements from the CPC central committee and the State Council fully expressed the aspirations and determination of the party and the people, providing a fundamental guarantee and strong support for bringing together the strength of the party and the country for the success of the Games.

The main progress of the preparations in 2007 was revealed in the following three aspects:

1. Construction of the Olympic venues and facilities was sped up and the task as a whole completed. Rehearsals for the opening and closing ceremonies had fully begun. Preparation for the torch relay had basically come to an end, while large-scale events were held successfully. BOCOG had also further enhanced international communications and cooperation. Volunteer recruitment and training had advanced. Competition organization made smooth progress and the preparation for the Paralympic Games had been carried out simultaneously.

2. The organizations of this year's "Good Luck Beijing" sport events was accomplished. These pre-Games events put the venue facilities and technical systems to a test. Through the events, the venue operation teams were tempered, the competition command center established, and competition service system formed. The urban environment and transport system were also under a comprehensive test.

3. The urban operation was vigorously pushed forward to create more favorable conditions for the successful hosting of the Olympic Games.

All in all, BOCOG harvested five lessons from 2007: People-oriented principle must be carried out; coordination must be strengthened; promotional work must be initiated; risk awareness must be raised and response capacity improved; and details must be grasped.

Liu Qi pointed out that 2008 is an Olympic year for China and the world. BOCOG will fully carry out the spirit of the CPC 17th National Congress and the directives of the CPC Central Committee on the Olympic preparations, in an effort to get ready for the Olympics.

BOCOG will strive to continue to carry out the concepts of "Green Olympics," "High-tech Olympics," and the "People's Olympics"; widely communicate the concepts of Transcendence, Equality, Integration for the Paralympics; bring the initiatives of various circles into play and integrate the resources to stage a high-level Olympics and Paralympics with distinguishing features. In 2008, BOCOG will fulfill the Olympic preparations; set up a city operation, administration, service, logistics and emergency-response system; extend the achievements of the campaign to improve residents' etiquette levels; display the image of "New Beijing, Great Olympics"; enhance publicity for a positive opinion environment; showcase China's image as an open, democratic, civilized and harmonious country; strengthen Olympic security work to ensure a safe Olympics; boost international relations to win wide support from the international community and forge friendship and cooperation with other nations.

Liu Qi pointed out nine important tasks of the 2008 preparations:

1. Fully carry out the Olympic operational and organization work

2. Meticulously organize the opening and closing ceremonies as well as other major ceremonies and cultural activities

3. Increase international communications and put in place services related to various client groups

4. Increase Olympic publicity; improve media services; create a positive public opinion domestically and abroad

5. Completely carry out the various measures for Olympic safety and ensure the theme of a "Safe Olympics"

6. Improve city operations and fully expand the campaign "Welcome the Olympics, Improve Manners and Foster New Attitudes"

7. Boost the various aspects of preparatory work for a successful Paralympic Games

8. Give emphasis to increasing the formation of teams to carry out the preparatory work and intensify Olympic training to provide solid assurance for a successful Olympic Games

9. Follow through on a policy of frugality and integrity in organizing the Olympics and ensure that all work is transparent.

Liu Qi requested that the spirit of the CPC 17th National Congress, as well as vigor and enthusiasm, be exercised in carrying forward the Olympic preparations. Those involved in the preparatory work should fully understand the expedient effect that a successful Olympic Games would have in bringing about a well-off society and accordingly increase their sense of responsibility and awareness of time pressures. Leadership from the Communist Party of China will increase. In carrying out the Olympic preparations, the various resources available must be fully utilized and international cooperation must be increased in order to adhere to international practice and fulfill the promises made in the Olympic bid. Emphasizing "people-first," Olympic services must be guaranteed through careful attention to details and safety management.

Tang Jiaxuan speaks at the meeting.

Tang Jiaxuan emphasized that the member units of the coordination group for Olympic foreign affairs must take this year's foreign affairs work to be their most important tasks and pay attention to both details and the larger picture. In carrying out the foreign affairs work, the functions of a host country must be exercised, and, at the same time, there must be regard for international convention. The various work plans and contingency plans must be worked out in detail in order to ensure a "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features."

Chen Zhili speaks at the meeting.

In a summary speech, Chen Zhili emphasized that all those involved in the preparatory work for the Beijing Olympics must possess an extremely strong value of historic responsibility. They must continue to rally together and work hard in order to successfully deliver a "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features." She pointed out the following:

1. Full cooperation to completely push forward the organizing and preparatory work for the Olympic Torch Relay, the opening and closing ceremonies, and other projects.

2. Further raise the level of professionalism and internationalization; offer excellent media services and venue operations.

3. Carry out external Olympic publicity and improve the level of law enforcement;

4. Fully expand the campaign "Welcome the Olympics, Improve Manners and Foster New Attitudes"; ensure that the volunteer selection work and volunteer training work are carried out earnestly; promote the widespread practice of physical exercise across society

5. Follow through on offering excellent barrier-free services and building barrier-free facilities; emphasize humanism and ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Games are "equally splendid."

Xiang Zhaolun, Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, member of the leading group of the Beijing Olympic torch relay, and chief of the organizing committee for the torch relay on the mainland of China; Li Dongsheng, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Beijing Olympic Media and Communications Coordination Group; Wang Anshun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and first deputy head of the Beijing Olympic Security Coordination Group; as well as other officials delivered work reports at the meeting.