Olympic Torch Relay in Guangzhou

The Olympic Torch Relay in Guangzhou starts this morning at 8:15 when the provincial Party Chief Wang Yang passed the sacred fire to Yang Jinghui, the first torch bearer of the Guangzhou Relay and the gold medal winner in the synchronized 10 metre platform diving in 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Altogether 208 torch bearers will run over 40 km today, passing the Baiyun Mountain, Guangzhou Art Museum, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Chen’s Clan, Beijing Road, Haizhu Bridge, Haiyin Park, Embassy Square, Guangzhou Bridge, Zhujiang New Town and Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center. The relay will end at the Tianhe Sports Center at 6 pm, following by a grand ceremony and show.

The final torch bearer in Guangzhou will be Dong Zhaozhi, Silver Medal in Men’s Team Foil at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Both Yang and Dong are Guangzhou native.

Besides the two former Olympic winners, the torch bearers in Guanghzou includes representatives from all walks of life and are expected to disseminate the Olympic spirit throughout the city.

Torchbearer Yang Jinghui shows the torch during the launching ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on May 7, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Torchbearer Yang Jinghui runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou Wednesday morning, May 7, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Torchbearer Yang Jinghui (R) lights the torch for the next torchbearer Liu Jiangnan during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou Wednesday morning, May 7, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

People cheer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on May 7, 2008.

Map of Torch Relay in Guangzhou

Olympic torch relay in Shenzhen adjusts schedule with flame in final assault at Mt. Qomolangma

The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China boomtown Shenzhen will kick off later then previously scheduled as Chinese mountaineers carrying the sacred flame started to launch a final assault to the top of Mt. Qomolangma earlier on Thursday.

The Shenzhen relay, previously scheduled to start Thursday morning, has been reset to launch at noon, after an expected success in reaching the world's highest peak, announced here the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG) in a statement.

No changes have been made on the relay route in Shenzhen, but with less hours expected to use, added the BOCOG.

The relay will start from the Shimin Guangchang, or the People's Square, and finish at the western square of the city stadium. It will also pass by landmarks such as the Window of the World, Red Forest Park and the city's highest skyscraper Diwang building.

The distance run by each torchbearer will be shortened from 200 meters to 100, or the torch will be carried by two bearers together in a run of 200 meters, according to the statement.

Climbers carrying the Olympic flame are expected to reach the top of Mt. Qomolangma at around 9 a.m. (0200 GMT).

Olympic flame atop Mt. Qomolangma

Chinese climbers display flags at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

Norbu Zhamdu (L) lights the Olympic torch of the first torchbearer Gegyi with a kindling at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese climbers cheer with flags at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese climbers display an Olympic torch, an Olympic flame lantern, a flag of International Olympic Committee, a Chinese National flag and a flag of the 29th Olympic Games at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

TV grab from May 8, 2008 shows the Chinese climbers spurt to the top of Mt. Qomolangma, at about the altitude of 8,800 meters in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Chinese climbers carrying the Olympic flame will reach the top of Mt. Qomolangma Thursday morning. (Xinhua Photo)

TV grab from May 8, 2008 shows Chinese climbers spurting to the top of Mt. Qomolangma, at about the altitude of 8,800 meters in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.(Xinhua Photo)

Graphics shows the route on the north slope along which the Beijing Olympic flame is to be carried to Mt. Qomolangma.(Xinhua Photo)

This picture taken on May 7, 2008 shows tents at the Attack Camp of Mt. Qomolangma, at the altitude of 8,300 meters in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Chinese mountaineers will carry the Beijing Olympic flame to the top of Mt. Qomolangma on May 8, an official of the Beijing Olympics organizing committee announed at the Base Camp of Mt. Qomolangma on May 7. (Xinhua/Luo Shen)

The Beijing Olympic flame reached the top of Mt. Qomolangma at 9:18 am Beijing time Thursday.

The last of the five torchbearers, Cering Wangmo, hoisted the sacred flame at the world's highest summit.

The relay on Mt. Qomolangma started with female climber Gyigyias the first bearer and Wang Yongfeng as the second. A dozen of climbers celebrated at the 8,844-meter summit, holding the Chinese national flag, the Beijing Olympic flag and the five-ring Olympic flag.

"Long live Beijing!" shouted one climber. Beijing organizers postponed the main torch relay, which isre-scheduled to start in the southern city of Shenzhen Thursday noon.

The Qomolangma flame will be reunited with the main flame later in the relay.

Olympic torch lit at Mt. Qomolangma

The Beijing Olympic torch was ignited by Norbu Zhamdu at 9:12 am local time on Mt. Qomolangma on Thursday.

A 30-meter relay on the world's highest peak has started with female climber Gyigyi as the first bearer and Wang Yongfeng as the second.

Captain Nyima Cering was the third bearer. "One World, OneDream," he shouted.

Olympic flame reaches 8,800 meters

The Beijing Olympic flame has reached 8,800 meters of the 8,844-meter Mt. Qomolangma.

Final climbers to top of Mt. Qomolangma

Following are the members of the Attack Team of climbers carrying the Beijing Olympic flame to the top of Mt. Qomolangma:

Captain: Nyima Cering

Deputy captain: Luo Shen

Members:

Dagguang

Gyigyi

Cering Wangmo

Li Fuqing

Huang Chungui

Yuan Fudong

Norbu Zhamdu

Ngawang Chagxi

Chagxi Cering

Purbu Toinzhub

Backup team:

Captain: Celo

Members:

Wang Yongfeng

Deqen Ngoezhub

Cedain Jigme

Painba Toinzhub

Yan Dongdong

Loze

Beijing Olympic torch relay in Sanya concludes

SANYA, South China, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China's Sanya concluded at the senic spot of TianyaHaijiao on Sunday.

　　Pop star Jackie Chan and Pu Huifang, head of a small town in Sanya, who run as the last torchbearers, kindled the cauldron at 5:56 p.m. local time, prompting loud cheers and applauses from the spectators.

　　The torch relay started from the Phoenix Island, passing the Crown of Beauty Center, Haiyue Square of Sanya Gulf and Haihong Square. A total of 208 torchbearers from all works of life run through the 30.09-kilometer route.

　　During the torch relay, tens of thousands local people lined the route, chanting support for the Beijing Olympic Games. The Olympic "five-ring" flags and red flags laid all over the sidewalk along the route.

　　This was the first leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in the Chinese mainland. The sacred flame will go to Wuzhishan city on Monday.

China Chairman Hu: China confident of hosting good Olympic Games

President Hu Jintao said in Sanya on Thursday that China was confident and capable of hosting a good Olympic Games.

He made the remarks in his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse in the southern island province.

The Beijing Olympic Games meets the aspiration of the Chinese people for the past 100 years and is also the common expectation of people worldwide, he said.

With support from people around the world, China was confident to and capable of phasing out all interference and host a successful Olympic Games.

Any attempt to undermine the August Games was doomed to fail, Rajapakse said, adding Sri Lanka wholeheartedly wished the Beijing Olympiad success.

Sri Lanka firmly adhered to the one-China policy and resolutely supported the policy of the Chinese government on the Taiwan and Tibet issues, he said.

Hu recalled his meeting with Rajapakse in February last year, in which the two leaders reached a broad consensus on facilitating Sino-Sri Lanka ties.

"Over the past year, much of the consensus has been seriously implemented," Hu said, adding the activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties and the Year of China-Sri Lanka Friendship had achieved great success.

Appraising the rapid bilateral trade growth, Hu said the large-scale cooperative programs in energy, ports and other fields had moved ahead smoothly and the two countries' cultural and sport exchanges were quite fruitful. China was satisfied with the status quo of China-Sri Lanka relations, he added.

Both countries were at a crucial stage of economic development, Hu said, adding to cement bilateral trade cooperation meets the fundamental interests of the two peoples and helps the economic and social development.

"We are ready to join hands with Sri Lanka to step up mutual-beneficial cooperation in various areas in a bid to benefit our peoples."

Rajapakse expressed appreciation for China's support for his country's economic and social development, stressing Sri Lanka was willing to further expand the win-win cooperation with China.

Hearing about Sri Lanka's domestic situation from Rajapakse, Hu said China hoped to see the country achieve peace, stability and prosperity at an early date.

Concerning the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to be held in Sri Lanka later this year, Hu said China would send a high-profile delegation. He believed the summit would achieve full success and expected Sri Lanka to play an important role in cementing the China-SAARC cooperation.

Rajapakse voiced his support for China's role in international and regional organizations.

He was here to attend the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia, scheduled to open on Saturday in Boao, Hainan Province.

Volunteers Symbol of BEIJING 2008

The shape of heart, composed of interweaved hearts, signifies that volunteers, athletes, the Olympic family, and all guests would render service and compassion in a joint effort to glorify the Olympic Movement.

The shape of a dancing human stands for volunteers with dedicated spirit. The sincere smiles, outstanding services, and friendly actions of the volunteers will evoke a strong echo in every participant of the Olympics.

Chinese unique artistic form -- calligraphic art is adopted in the beaming design of the secondary mark, which sets off against the Olympic Emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing."

Beijing's green display

Opening Ceremony

(BEIJING, March 26) -- On Tuesday morning, the "Green Olympics -- From Concepts to Action" Touring Photo Exhibition held its grand opening ceremony in front of the Beijing Lufthansa Center. The exhibition features over one hundred placards complete with information regarding the steps China took in order to ready itself for the Olympics in an environmentally-friendly manner.

The entire exhibition is divided into four categories that help visitors understand how Beijing prepared for the Games while embodying the concept of a "Green Olympics." Through pictures, charts, and detailed explanations about technological advances, the touring exhibition seeks to display Beijing's steps in creating a suitable, green environment in which to host the Olympics. In order to better help guests understand the information presented, high-tech devices, including electronic guidebooks, are also available.

International guests are attracted by the exhibition.

Through the exhibition, visitors can better understand the harmonious relationship between man and nature, the advantages to environmental protection and healthy living brought about by advances in technology, and the steps that Beijing took to become a more environmentally-friendly city as well as the successes of those endeavors thus far.

"Green Olympics—From Concepts to Action" Touring Photo Exhibition sign in Lufthansa Center

The free "Green Olympics -- From Concepts to Action" Touring Photo Exhibition will remain at the Lufthansa Friendship Shopping City from March 26 to March 30. From April 2 to April 6, the exhibition will be shown in Wangjing; from April 14 to 18, it will be housed in the Capital Tower; from April 26 to 30, the Jingyuan Lufthansa Center; and in the beginning of May, interested persons should head to Shinkong Place to see the display.

Representatives from BOCOG and other relevant organizations attended the opening ceremony and toured the exhibition.

Environmental Symbol of BEIJING 2008

The symbol, which was created using a calligraphic art form, is composed of human and tree-like shapes. The logo consists of the crown of a tree and the shape of a human being, which are used to create the form of a large tree reaching the sky. The image represents harmony and unity between human beings and nature. Just like swinging coloured strips that encircle and cross each other, the green lines form a luxuriant crown of a tree and recall flowers in full bloom, embodying the sustainable development of nature.

Olympic Pictograms

• The pictograms of Athens 2004
• The pictograms of Sydney 2000
• The pictograms of Atlanta 1996

• The pictograms of Barcelona 1992
• The pictograms of Seoul 1988
• The pictograms of Los Angeles 1984

• The pictograms of Moscow 1980
• The pictograms of Munich 1972
• The pictograms of Tokyo 1964

• The pictograms of London 1948

• The pictograms of Torino 2006
• The pictograms of Salt Lake City 2002
• The pictograms of Nagano 1998

• The pictograms of Lillehammer 1994
• The pictograms of Albertville 1992
• The pictograms of Calgary 1988

• The pictograms of Sarajevo 1984
• The pictograms of Lake Placid 1980

BEIJING 2008: Final Coordination Commission Visit

With the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay now underway and anticipation building for the Games themselves in August, the IOC's Coordination Commission for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be in the host city of Beijing this week for its final review of the Beijing 2008 project. Led by Commission Chairman Hein Verbruggen, the members of the Commission will meet with their Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG) counterparts to fully understand the state of BOCOG's progress as the Games approach and also to help guide BOCOG as they finalise their preparations and operations.

Highest Standard

This will be the tenth visit of the full Commission to Beijing and marks the closing chapter of seven years of close collaboration between BOCOG and this expert IOC group. During that time, the members of the Commission have been able to assist and monitor BOCOG, as they collaborated towards putting on top-class Games for the athletes of the world in August 2008. And this visit will be no different as the Commission works with BOCOG down to the wire to ensure that the services that the athletes, media, spectators and National Olympic Committees (NOC) receive will be up to the highest standard possible.

ANOC and Executive Board

Following closely on the heels of the Coordination Commission, Beijing will also host the final General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Commitees (ANOC) before the Games, as well as a meeting of the IOC's Executive Board. The ANOC meeting will give the NOCs the opportunity to learn directly from BOCOG what has been planned for Games time and also to ask BOCOG any outstanding questions that they may still have ahead of the opening of the Olympic Village in July.

Beijing 2008

The Games of the XXIX Olympiad -- Beijing 2008 will take place from 8 to 24 August 2008. The Games in Beijing will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the Games with around 20,000 accredited media bringing the Games to the world.

China online bookings soar

CTRIP.COM, China's largest online travel agent, recently announced net profits of RMB398 million (US$55 million) in 2007, up 66 per cent over the previous year, leading many analysts to question the future of traditional travel agents in the country.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, China's travel and tourism industry is expected to grow by close to 10 per cent per annum over the next 10 years.

MasterCard Worldwide expects outbound tourists from China to top 21.6 million in the first half of 2008. And a growing share of these tourists are turning to the Internet for travel information.

A recent survey by The Nielsen Company in partnership with PATA found that nearly seven in 10 Chinese leisure travellers used the Internet to secure information before making travel bookings. The study also found that the Internet was now more popular as a source of travel information than traditional travel agents in China. And representatives from eLong, China's second largest online travel site, say Chinese travellers are using the Internet to make hotel and flight bookings and payments.

In 2006, more than 2.75 million Chinese booked hotel rooms, air tickets and other travel services on the Internet, up 72 per cent from the previous year. And analysts are optimistic the number of users will more than double to 5.7 million this year, and hit nine million by 2010. The online sector is expected to be worth RMB6.5 billion by 2010.

Beijing Hotel Reservation

• Beijing DaWan Hotel
  Dawan Hotel Beijing, is a three star standard hotel centrally located in Beijing%26#39;s well known shopping and sightseeing district of Wangfujing area.

• Beijing East Gate Plaza Service Apartmen
  Beijing East Gate Plaza Service Apartment is a residential, commercial, retail and entertainment multiplex holding apartments, office towers, retail floors, banks, restaurants, health clubs, swimming pool, basketball, squash, bowling lanes, billiard, movie theatre, beauty salon, supermarket, laundry, florist, travel agency, tea house, and parking for 700 vehicles.

• Beijing Eastern Morning Sun Youth Hostel
  Beijing Eastern Morning Sun Youth Hostel is in the Floor B4 east building of Oriental Square which is the largest architectural complex in Asia.

• Beijing Exhibition Centre Hotel
  Beijing Exhibition Centre Hotel, which lies in the compound of the famous Beijing Exhibition Centre, is a three-star Sino foreign joint venture hotel.

• Beijing Fangyuan Hotel
  The Beijing Fang Yuan Hotel is conveniently located in the Wangfujing area, downtown of Beijing.

• Beijing Far East Hotel
  The Beijing Far East International Youth Hostel is located in the center of the city.

• Beijing Feiying Hotel
  Beijing FeiYing International Youth Hostel is located quite in the heart of Beijing, close to Xidan shopping area, Liulichang Culture Street .

• Beijing Fujian Hotel
  The four-star Fujian Hotel, located near the International Exhibition Center, Beijing%26#39;s Silicon Valley, the Asia Games Village and major shopping centers, features a luxurious movie theater, a fully equipped gym, a ballroom, a karaoke bar and a billiards room.

• Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel
  The hotel is located in Xidan Commercial Street, in the entertainment and shopping centre of Beijing, with the central financial area around.

• Beijing Jianguo Garden Hotel
  The Hotel faces Beijing railway station, and just 5 minutes walking distance to Wangfujing shopping area.

Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel

Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel Description:

The hotel is located in Xidan Commercial Street, in the entertainment and shopping centre of Beijing, with the central financial area around. only 20 minute walk from Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City. The Hotel just steps away from the metro station.

 

Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel(Beijing) Environment: 0 km from downtown, 3 km from Wang Fu Jin, 4 km from Beijing Railway Station, 33 km from Capital International Airport

Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel Address: No. 130 Xidan North Street (Xidan Beidajie), Beijing
Equipment: There are many kinds of restaurants. McDonalds, Japanese Style food and Western Restaurant. The Business Center is located on the 7th floor, provides Chinese/ English typing; fax; EMS; and photocopy services. Ample underground parking lot available for parking needs. In the laundry, wet and dry cleaning service available by just fill up the form placed in the room. Besides, there is a little shop at the 1st floor and a launderette at the 9th floor.

Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel Memo: The Internet discount room rate includes service charge. Check out 12 noon.
Unless upon request, the hotel will only keep the reservation till 18:00.
Rates may be subject to surcharge during peak periods.

Beijing Beijing HWA(Apartment) Hotel Position:

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion (3 Star) Introduction

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion Hotel, affiliated with Beijing Airport Zone, is a three star hotel with a convenient and graceful environment, located only 10 minutes drive away from Beijing Capital Airport.

It is equipped with 60 comfortable guestrooms, including a Chinese style dining hall, perfectly equipped gym %26 recreation center, large and small meeting rooms, commercial center, and air-ticket booking, etc. FREE PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF!!!!

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion also provides free pick-up and drop off service for the clients. So remember to contact us with your full name and your flight schedule before your arrival, so that the hotel can be informed of the right information and pick you up at Beijing Airport on time.

Check out is 12:00 noon. Unless upon request, the hotel will only keep the reservation till 18:00. The rates may change from time to time as advised by the hotel - especially during special holidays or local festivals where room situations are tight. Special holidays include Labor Day Week in May, National Day Week in Oct and Spring Festival Week (Chinese New Year)

The hotel reserves the rights to change the rates and terms without prior notice.

 

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion(Beijing) Environment: 5kms to the Airpport; 30kms to the Railway Station; 30kms to the City Center; 5kms to Airport-Industrial District;
Surrounding landscape: PANASONIC CORPORATION, JVC CORPORATION, ERICSSON CORPORATION

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion Address: Tianzhu Konggang Industrial Zone, A Area, West Side of Capital Airport, Beijing 101312
Equipment: Air Conditioning, Free Airport Transfer, Money Exchange, Indoor Swimming Pool, Ping-pong Room, 24-hour Hot Water Supply, Bar %26 Lounge, Billiards, Business Center, Restaurants, Six-channel Binshiyu Bowling, Kara-Ok Dancing Hall

Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion Memo: Check out 12 noon.
Rates may be subject to surcharge during peak periods.
Above rates includes service charge.
Free airport pick-up service(6:00-23:00).
Chinese breakfast: RMB10 per person.
The rooms can be kept until 22:00pm.

Beijing Beijing Airport Lantian Mansion Position:

 

• 365Inn (Qianmen Branch)
  365Inn is located in central of Beijing.

• 365Inn (Xiaoxitian Branch)
  365Inn hotel (Xiaoxitian branch) is a chain type commercial hotel of Beijing Kimberley Hotel Management Co.

• Agriculture exhibition home inn
  Hotels assign the warm mark room to wait for all kinds of 144 house types, offer 24-hour hot water shower , air conditioner , TV , telephone and surf the Net with broadband free, there are standard spring mattress bed accessories and related furniture.

• Asia Jinjiang Hotel
  Beijing Asia Jinjiang Hotel is ideally situated close to the second ring road and in the east of the embassy area of Beijing.

• Atrairl Express Hotel-Suzhou Qiao
  Atrairl Express Hotel is an economy Hotel with the brand of %26#34;Zhonghang Inn%26#34; which is built by Chinese Airlines Group Tourist Industry Ltd.

• Avic Hotel Beijing
  AVIC Hotel--stands by Chang%26#39;an Avenue in core of CBD.

• Beijing Ai Hua Hotel
  Ai Hua Hotel Beijing is a three star hotel, near BeijingWest Railway Station.

Report: China Issues Broad Olympic Ban

China has secretly issued an order banning those the government considers a threat from next year's Olympics — a group that includes terrorists, Falun Gong activists, some media workers and frequent traffic-law violators, an overseas monitoring association said Friday.

China's leaders view the Beijing Olympics as a way to project a positive image of the country, but the games also offer a rare opportunity for protesters to air their grievances against China's government and the ruling Communist party.

The order from the Ministry of Public Security bans those who fall into broad categories such as "antagonistic elements," "members of illegal organizations," and "non-government organizations engaging in activities that can pose a real threat to the Olympic Games," according to the China Aid Association, based in Midland, Texas.

Others include religious extremists, "media employees who can harm the Olympic Games" and "dangerous elements ... and other people who have serious grievances against the Party," said the group, which advocates for religious freedom in China.

It was not clear whether the order reportedly issued in April applied to visitors or participants, although the association said the security ministry called for strict examinations of athletes, Olympic Committee members, media and sponsors.

The association cited government sources as the basis of its report. The group's founder, Bob Fu, did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press asking to see the original government document.

Preparations for the Beijing Olympics, such as venue construction, have hummed along at a record pace, but the high-profile event has opened China to accusations of human rights violations, not doing enough to fight pollution and willingness to overlook Sudan's actions in its violence-ridden Darfur region in return for gas and oil.

Critics have asserted that Beijing is so eager to host a flawless event that it will go to great lengths to keep out potential "troublemakers" during the games, which begin Aug. 8.

Listed under "antagonistic elements" in the government order, for example, were anti-China forces inside and outside the country, and family members of people injured or killed in riots who still pose a threat, the report said. The category also includes "frequent traffic violators in running red lights and J-walking."

Others who are banned included terrorists, criminals under surveillance and followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which China considers a cult, the association said.

A press official at the Ministry of Public Security said the report was "not very accurate" and that it was international practice to examine visitors during Olympic Games. The man, who refused to give his name, asked the AP to fax an interview request for further comment, to which he did not immediately respond.

Li Zhanjun, director of the Beijing Olympics media center, said he was "unclear" about the issue and needed to look into the claims.

Heads of some 50 countries confirm attendance of Beijing Olympics

The leaders of some 50 countries have confirmed their attendance of the Beijing Olympic Games next year, Liu Qi, President of BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad) said on Thursday.

At a briefing in New York, Liu reiterated Beijing's determination to fulfill its promise to improve the air quality and provide good conditions for the athletes from around the world.

Despite the progress made so far, Beijing still faces challenges, he said. The State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the Beijing municipality are working on measures to respond to any unexpected weather conditions and providing a good environment for the athletes in their competitions, he said.

"We will ensure a clean Olympics free of doping as we will use a sophisticated test center and enhance cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency," he said.

Liu said Beijing has enough volunteers to serve the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year as the number of the applicants has already surpassed what is required.

BOCOG Ticketing Center halts domestic ticket sales as demand surges

The head of the BOCOG Ticketing Center said Tuesday that after careful consideration and discussions with the relevant technical partners, and to ensure the interests of the public, BOCOG has decided to temporarily halt the domestic ticket sales in the second phase to improve the technical plan and will announce new ticketing information on November 5.

The second phase of domestic ticket sales for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, launched Tuesday morning, was met with an unprecedented rise in ticket demand from the general public. Within the first hour, from 9:00am to 10:00am, the page view (PV) volume of the official ticketing website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (http://tickets.beijing2008.com) soared to eight million, while the number of calls to the ticketing hotline (+8610 952008) exceeded 3.8 million.

Because of the overwhelming volume of page visits, the technical system was unable to perform the tasks well enough, and many applicants were unable to successfully submit their applications. The BOCOG Ticketing Center expressed regret for any inconvenience experienced by the applicants in the process of purchasing tickets.

Tuesday morning's turnout for the ticket sale fully reflected the Chinese people's longing and support for the Olympic Games. There were long queues at BOCOG-designated Bank of China (BOC) branches; some applicants had waited in line since Monday. Many others had sat in front of the computer for a long time, waiting to access the ticketing website and to submit their orders. Meanwhile those who chose to purchase their tickets by phone had been constantly calling the hotline since early morning.

In regard to the communications jam caused by the excessive page visits, the official explained that the ticketing center had underestimated the demand from the public, resulting in shortcomings in the preparations and causing inconvenience to ticket buyers.

"We sincerely apologize to the general public," the official said.

The official confirmed that the successful orders of the Olympic tickets on Tuesday through the three channels -- via the Internet, telephone, or at the Bank of China branches -- will remain valid. The applications of those who registered their ID information at BOC branches and call centers on Tuesday will be processed immediately once the ticket sales begin again.