Bid News Updates

Beijing's message to the International Olympic Committee's 17-member Evaluation Commission was loud and clear, especially from Chinese President Jiang Zemin and the city's Mayor, Liu Qi, who is also President of Beijing's bid committee for the 2008 Games.

Jiang told the Commission, which late last month conducted a four-day final inspection of the city: "Beijing hopes that its enthusiasm, confidence, credentials and capability for hosting the 2008 Games can be conveyed to all IOC members through [your] evaluation report."

Earlier, Qi had boldly told the Commission: "China's time has come to stage an Olympics."

The Commission's busy program was in large measure in two parts: work and play. Each day saw its members conducting inspections of existing and potential Olympics venues, listening to numerous presentations by bid-committee experts on Games-related issues such as the city's transportation, infrastructure and environment, and asking detailed questions of their own.

Evenings saw the members royally entertained at official dinner and other functions, and also as honored guests at such venues as the Beijing International Theater. There they watched a rich mixture of ancient and folk Chinese music and western classics in a staging of Beijing Night, performed by top artistes.

Presented for them was music, dancing, magic acts and excerpts the Peking Opera, Verdi's opera La Traviata and the ballet Don Quixote. Among many other entertainments, they also listened to a cheerful piece of Chinese traditional music, Dancing Golden Snake, and listened to leading Chinese pianist Li Yundi play Grand Polonaise Brillante.

Gallup Survey Shows 94.9% of Beijingers Support Beijing's Bid

A sample of 1,629 Beijing residents surveyed by Gallup (China) Poll Organization were asked a series of questions pertaining to Beijing's Olympic bid. Results indicate that 94.9 percent of the local residents support Beijing's wish to host the 2008 Games. Ninety-four percent of residents would be willing to volunteer their services at the venues if the bid is successful, while 97 percent were willing to help in other capacities. With regard to security and infrastructure, 95 percent of those polled were confident that Beijing would indeed be ready by 2008.

Virtually all of those polled agreed that a successful bid to host the Olympics would boost the city's image and reputation around the world, as well as improve its living environment.

Beijing Open to World Media
Liu Jingmin, Executive Vice President of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee and Vice Mayor of Beijing, recently hosted interviews by foreign media, including reporters from such internationally respected publications as Time, Reuters, the Washington Post, Toronto Star and USA Today.

During a question- and-answer session, Liu said that Beijing, much like the rest of China, has witnessed vast and sweeping changes for the better. Improved air quality, the building and renovation of sports venues as well many other infrastructural projects were some of the more tangible signs of the city's dedication to its people.
Liu also noted that the motto "New Beijing Great Olympics" holds greater meaning when considered in conjunction with the three themes of the capital's proposed bid: Green Olympics, Humanistic Olympics and Technological Olympics.

Hong Kong and Macao Delegates Visit BOBICO Headquarters
Liu Jingmin welcomed more than 20 delegates from Hong Kong and Macao at BOBICO headquarters earlier this month. The delegates were on hand for Beijing's annual people's congress, but took time out to make clear their support for Beijing's Olympic bid.

Singing in Tune for Beijing
Nearly 1,000 volunteers attended the February 8 filming of a music video to promote Beijing's quest for the Olympic Games in 2008. Spirits were high as participants waved flags and sang To Meet in the Place Where the Sun Rises -- amidst falling snow.

Olympic City Voyage Series
What difficulties did modern Olympiad founder Pierre de Coubertin face when organizing the first Olympic Games of the modern era? What styles and characteristics did the Olympic cities of the last century project? What influence have previous athletes left to future Olympians?

Beijing Television Station (BTV) sent 12 television crews and more than 40 reporters around the world to visit 22 previous Olympic Games host cities to find the answers to such questions. The result was the newly aired series, Olympic City Voyage.

It is hoped the series will bring the Olympic spirit into Chinese viewers' homes and familiarize them with the Games?history. Using vivid materials and first-hand recollections, the Olympics could not be brought closer to viewers.

Reporters gathered a significant number of historical materials and have injected each episode with a documentary-like feel.

Beijing Airport Reinforces Radar Net
Capital International Airport recently added its support to Beijing's Olympic bid by installing a new radar-based air traffic control system to cope with increased traffic and to enhance flight security.

The new system will improve air traffic, substantially boost flight punctuality and reduce the times between take-off and landing by making better use of air space, according to sources in the Air Traffic Bureau of the North China Regional Administration under the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Capital International Airport has become one of the busiest and fastest-growing terminals in Asia, increasing its number of flights arriving and departing from its runways by 15 percent each year. Currently, the airport handles 640 flights daily. Experts estimate the airport will be able to service 35 million passengers annually by 2008.

Legislature Passes Bill Supporting 2008 Bid
The Beijing Municipal People's Congress recently passed a bill recording encouragement and support for Beijing's passionate pursuit of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.

Since 1991, when Beijing bid for the 2000 Olympic Games, Beijing has further accelerated its pace of development in the hope of eventually staging its uniquely Chinese version of the Olympics. The nation's capital, and epicenter of China's politics, culture, and international exchanges, is now in a far superior and deserving position than before to host the games, because crucial lessons were learned.

The bill, passed at the congress' annual session last month, noted that Beijing, as a city of unparalleled culture and history, has much to offer to the Olympics and its movement.