Olympic

Beijing to offer good conditions for Olympics

BEIJING : Beijing will do its best to solve the environmental and traffic problems for the Olympic Games and will create comfortable conditions for athletes and visitors, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games was proceeding smoothly and a splendid performance would be presented to the world then, spokesman Liu Jianchao told a press conference in Beijing.

"All Beijing citizens and the Chinese people will open arms and warmly welcome athletes, coaches and audiences from all over the world and we hope they will have a good time in Beijing," he said.

"I believe with joint efforts from China and the world, the Beijing Olympics will succeed," he added.

Liu said such an international event as the Olympics will offer a platform for communication and promotion of friendship between China and other countries and between the Chinese people and the people all over the world.

China expected no political interference to the Olympics, because it runs against the spirit of the Olympic Charter, Liu said.

Capital Airport T3 building in full preparation

BEIJING : The new terminal of the Beijing Capital International Airport, Terminal 3 (T3) building underwent its fifth and also the largest trial run on Saturday, less than two weeks before the first batch of passengers to arrive on February 29, China News Agency reported.

The rehearsal held here involved in 82 flights and 5,000 "passengers" to test the building's all functions in passenger throughput and transfer, luggage transportation, contraband and danger control, as well as VIP security, etc.

T3 building will have its final rehearsal on February 23 with 8,000 people getting involved and will open for test run on February 29. On March 26, the building will officially open for use.

In addition to Shandong Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Australian Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways and Israel Airlines, which will be the first to operate at terminal 3 (T3) on February 29. 21 more air businesses will start their operations here on March 26. They include Air China, Shanghai Airlines, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, and UAE Airlines. The 27 companies will share 45 percent of the airport's passenger flows.

Occupying an area of close to 1 million square meters, T3 has three functional areas. T3C handles domestic and international boarding procedures, domestic departures and baggage claims for both domestic and international passengers; T3D will temporarily be devoted to charter flights for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games; and T3E will be used for international arrivals and departures.

There will be four expressways linking the airport with the city. When completed, a rail line starting from the city's Dongzhimen will need a drive of just 16 minutes to go to T3, and that will come true before the Olympics scheduled to start on August 8, 2008.

Beijing to offer good conditions for Olympics

BEIJING, February 16

Beijing will do its best to solve the environmental and traffic problems for the Olympic Games and will create comfortable conditions for athletes and visitors, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
Preparations for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games was proceeding smoothly and a splendid performance would be presented to the world then, spokesman Liu Jianchao told a press conference in Beijing.
"All Beijing citizens and the Chinese people will open arms and warmly welcome athletes, coaches and audiences from all over the world and we hope they will have a good time in Beijing," he said.
"I believe with joint efforts from China and the world, the Beijing Olympics will succeed," he added.
Liu said such an international event as the Olympics will offer a platform for communication and promotion of friendship between China and other countries and between the Chinese people and the people all over the world.
China expected no political interference to the Olympics, because it runs against the spirit of the Olympic Charter, Liu said.

Beijing residents share stories with reporters

BEIJING : Six residents living in the Asian Games Village became the protagonists in front of 30 reporters from China and abroad, sharing their stories about the Olympic Games with them.

The activity was organized by the Asian Games Village street activity center.

Yu Jichun, 67, a retired teacher, is living near the National Indoor Stadium. "I witnessed every change in the past years. I witnessed it from a single steel to a nest-shaped stadium."

"The night view of the stadium is very beautiful, which makes me excited and proud."

Zhang Tiezhuo is a worker with the Beijing Zoo. He is applying for his family to be a reception family during the Olympic Games. He said he is willing to share the joy of holding the Olympic Games with people from around the world.

Sun Baoqi is an Olympic volunteer and his 10-year-old son is making contributions to the Olympic Games. "During the summer and winter holidays, I usually pick garbage with him. My son is growing up with the Olympic Games."

Wang Hui, deputy director of the BOCOG publicity department, said this kind of activity will be held in the future in an effort to have the world see Chinese people's expectation and passion to welcome the Olympic Games.