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IN preparing for the Beijing Olympics, the goal has been to create a quality event with a strong Chinese flavor that will showcase the nations history and culture to the world. As well as a sports meeting, the Beijing Olympic Games will be a diverse cultural pageant. The organizers are striving for the highest level of quality in all aspects of the Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies, media services, security, cultural events, and the organization of Beijings infrastructure.

The Beijing Olympic Games have been planned under the auspices of three overarching concepts: a green Olympics, a sci-tech Olympics, and a people-orientated Olympics. In practice this has meant ensuring sustainable development in the construction of venues and supporting services, utilizing the latest and most advanced technologies and promoting innovation, and upholding and enhancing the well-being and interests of people.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games will strive to realize the spirit of “One World, One Dream” by emphasizing the themes of “civilization” and “harmony.” They will trace the evolution of Chinese civilization and its blending with the outside world, realizing a perfect combination of Chinese cultural and Olympic elements.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has organized five Olympic cultural festivals to further the Olympic spirit. We have also organized publicity activities, such as a global tour of the Fuwa mascots, and an Olympic family tour of Beijing, to enhance foreigners understanding of China and the Beijing Olympic Games. Cooperating with the Chinese Ministry of Education, we have established 556 Olympic education teachers schools. Meanwhile, we have organized 207 primary and middle schools in Beijing to conduct international exchanges, to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese young people and their counterparts from around the world.

Media Services

There are 21,600 registered and 10,000 non-registered journalists coming to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Providing excellent, efficient service for the international media is an important part of organizing the Games, and was a solemn promise made by the Chinese government and BOCOG as part of the Beijing bid.

The Chinese government has honored its commitment by initiating a round-the-clock “one station” media service, where journalists can register and receive accreditation. We have maintained a position of openness towards the media, and will keep improving the information publication system through press releases, news conferences and interviews.

During the Olympics, journalists will be served by the Main Press Center (MPC), the International Broadcasting Center (IBC), the media centers of Olympic venues, and other facilities. To better serve non-registered journalists, we have established the 2008 Beijing International Media Center (BIMC).

Throughout the Games, INFO2008 and the Olympic News Service (ONS) will provide comprehensive information to the media. Services will be provided in 55 languages. In the daily briefings, press conferences and coverage, interpretations in six languages, including English, French and Arabic, will be available. Press releases will be issued by the MPC and the BIMC, covering hot topics such as competition results, politics, and the economy.

In providing media services during the Olympic Games, emphasis will be placed on being cordial, considerate, thoughtful and ensuring standardization. BOCOG has provided 52 star-rated hotels for registered journalists to choose from, as well as two media villages. The Beijing International Media Center will also provide reservation services at recommended hotels for non-registered journalists.

We have also planned highly efficient and smooth media traffic networks, linking all the important venues associated with journalists work. Media personnel can also use public buses in Beijings downtown area free of charge.

A Cultural and Sporting Pageant

The Olympic Games are the largest and the most influential and comprehensive contemporary sports meeting. But the event is also a cultural pageant, providing a platform to display mankinds common desire for peace, friendship, prosperity and progress. The Beijing Games will unfold in a country with a5,000-year history and a population of 1.3 billion, exerting a far-reaching influence on Chinese people across the country.

Preparations for the 2008 Games have increased understanding, friendship and trust between the Chinese people and the peoples of the world. Since preparations started, many international sports, cultural, scientific and educational organizations have visited Beijing and deepened their understanding of China.

Getting ready to host the Games has also spurred Chinas economic development. A number of excellent Chinese enterprises have become sponsors of the Beijing Olympic Games and have utilized the event to forcefully promote their development.

On a more intangible level, hosting the Games has bolstered the concepts of “peace, friendship and progress” among Chinese people, enhancing the countrys social development.

Finally, the 2008 Olympic Games will leave precious professional talent in its wake for Chinas ongoing development and construction. In the past few years, we have selected, trained and fostered a large number of high- caliber professionals. In field competition management, for example, the chairmen for all 28 major competitive events have been selected from within China, producing a range of managerial personnel of international standard.

We can say that the process of preparing and hosting the Olympic Games has played a key role in Chinas opening up and joining the international community. Hosting the Olympic Games is sure to play a long-term role in promoting reform and sustainable development, and further the opening-up process.

TU MINGDE is assistant to the president of BOCOG.