Great efforts made to improve the environment are by no means just a move of decoration during the procedure of the Olympic bid. Rather, it is a development plan that Beijing Municipality made much earlier. According to the plan, Beijing will have completed 20 major projects involving environmental improvement by 2007. When the 29th Olympic Games are held in Beijing, the city's environmental quality will be up to all the standards required of the Olympic Games. Beijing will be matched with major cities in developed countries.

Talking about construction of stadia for the Olympic Games, Liu pledged that Beijing would complete all the stadia needed two years ahead of schedule. He said that China is a huge market, and with the successful bid, the construction of stadia as well as other related facilities will present a good business opportunity for both domestic and international enterprises. He disclosed that the enterprises will be given an opportunity to participate in the construction through bidding.

Spokesperson Tang Long pointed out that by 2008, Beijing will lead the country in realizing modernization, with the framework of a world-class international metropolis taking shape. He noted that Beijing is currently faced with quite a number of problems, including air pollution, water shortage, congested traffic and the need to renovate dilapidated houses. However, the historical mission of modernization and the solemn commitments to the Olympic Games will motivate people in Beijing to use their wisdom, courage and spirit of working in earnest to create a "New Beijing, Great Olympics."

Olympiad Adds to Beijing's Appeal

Beijing, with a history of more than 3,000 years, boasts of a brilliant historical and cultural heritage that will make the 2008 Olympic Games more attractive. In the meantime, the city itself will gain in charm due to the development of the Olympic spirit.

Sport has been incorporated into Beijingers' daily lives. In the morning, taijiquan practitioners are commonly seen in the city's parks and streets. The slow but rhythmic movements, which have been of long standing, benefit not only people's physique but also their mentality.

The Forbidden City, exclusive to the royal family nearly a century ago, is now a place for ordinary citizens to relax and visit. In June the world-famous "Three Tenors," Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, staged a joint concert there. Hutongs, long or short, wide or narrow, straight or winding, feature Beijing of the past. The oldest hutongs were in use 700 years ago, and they have all witnessed the rise and fall of China's dynasties. Despite the fact that an increasing number of Beijingers have moved into new apartments with better living conditions and modern facilities, those who remain living in courtyard houses maintain a traditional lifestyle. They are preserving the city's most valuable traditions.

Part of the world famous Great Wall is located in Beijing's suburbs, just a one-hour drive from the city proper. Though it cannot serve as a venue for athletic competition, the Great Wall's connection with the Olympiad is unquestionable, for it can symbolize the widespread dissemination of the Olympic spirit. The Great Wall's imposing momentum, exquisite construction and 2,000-year history will attract more visitors.

Beijing residents take great pride in their city, a place where the old and the new merge into a whole, and modern science and technology coexist with traditional culture harmoniously. They consider the bidding process and hosting the Olympic Games a good opportunity to show the city's charms and Chinese people's hospitable tradition to the world.

In an increasingly modern Beijing, history and the latest developments are side by side in almost every aspect of life-mysterious ancient structures and a forest of cement towers and office buildings; elegant gardens and dynamic business centers; small antique stores and fashionable shopping centers; composed elders in slip-on cloth shoes and rushing teenagers in brand-name sports shoes. Chinese people began to understand tertiary industry only after reform and opening-up policies were initiated in the late 1970s. Nevertheless, this has not prevented them from advancing it by leaps and bounds. With the help of well-experienced international groups, Beijing's hotel sector has grown rapidly. In the past, Beijing's luxurious restaurants and places of entertainment mainly received overseas tourists and business people, but now they are packed with local customers pursuing quality service. Every visitor to Beijing, either today or in 2008, will be deeply impressed with the city's traditional but modern appearance. In the meantime, they can personally experience the blend of former and contemporary eras and feel the pulse of a rising metropolis undergoing profound changes.

Chinese people love sports and there are sports fans everywhere. For the international community, however, the most noteworthy attraction of Beijing's hosting the Olympic Games will be the consequent enormous commercial opportunities. Many world-leading conglomerates are carrying out new marketing programs, attempting to introduce their products to China's 1.3 billion population. The Chinese market is full of potential. Against the backdrop of the country's flourishing economy and its people's rapidly rising purchasing power, now is the best opportunity for their efforts. "Everyone engaged in sport-related businesses will be endowed with the prosperous luck for wealth," said a consultant for investment in China, who added that, as Beijing is to host the 2008 Olympic Games, the country's massive commercial potential will come alive like the eruption of a volcano.

Initial statistics show that Beijing will be able to attract US$9 billion in additional investment for hosting the 2008 Olympic games. This enormous fund and its multiple effects will combine to form a powerful driving force for Beijing's economic growth. As most of this money is expected to be used to purchase commodities and services available in Beijing, its stimulation to local construction, transportation, postal and telecommunications, tourism and catering industries will be relatively strong. Moreover, the Olympiad can also serve as a dynamic and appealing brand of cultural tourism. Taking advantage of this, the host city of the Olympic Games generally becomes a national and international top tourist destination for 10 years. This prospect is especially guaranteed for Beijing, which features a unique cultural charm. More importantly, experience indicates that the previous Olympic Games all played a very positive role in the creation of employment opportunities.

Historic opportunity has come to Beijing. Thanks to the reform and opening up and the joint efforts of its citizens, it is reasonable to believe that this centuries-old city will appear before the world with a totally new and more colorful image in seven years' time. Chinese people cordially welcome athletes and friends from all parts of the world to take part in the grand Olympic gala in Beijing in 2008.

(Beijing Review No.31, 2001)

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