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Since Beijing won its bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, preparations have been going on for seven years. During these years, major tasks for each phase have been accomplished as scheduled, thanks to the support of the Chinese Government, the general public, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and friends from all over the world, laying a solid foundation for a successful 2008 Olympic Games.
Preparations for the Games are a top priority of the Chinese Government. Mr Hu Jintao, the CPC General Secretary, and Mr Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier, have attended several meetings to hear reports on the progress of preparations. They have also visited some Olympic construction sites. Mr Hu has noted that "to stage the Olympic Games is the common wish of all ethnic groups in China, a century-old dream of the Chinese nation, and a major endeavor for the whole country." He asked us to make all efforts to guarantee the success of the Games. Mr Wen has also instructed us: "To make the Olympic Games a success, we should provide excellent services not only for the Games, but also for the general public," he said. "In this way, we will win support from both the international community and the Chinese people." In the 10 months leading up to the Olympic Games, we will further implement the instructions from the Central Government and do our utmost to stage a "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features."
We have made significant progress in the following areas.
1. Most Olympic venues and relevant facilities have been completed or nearly completed; all will be ready by the second quarter of next year.
In total, 37 competition venues and 56 training venues are planned for the Beijing Olympic Games. So far, 27 competition venues have been completed, including, among others, the Beijing Shooting Range Hall, the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park and six competition venues in co-host cities. The main structures of other 10 venues, which include the National Aquatics Centre, the National Indoor Stadium and the Wukesong Indoor Stadium, have been built. The interior decoration and installation of electromechanical equipment are underway，and all construction of nine of the 10 venues is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The National Stadium will not be ready until March 2008 due to the Opening Ceremony project. By then, all venues will be ready for use. 45 of the independent training venues in Beijing will be completed by the end of this year. The Media Village, the National Convention Centre, the Olympic Village and the Olympic Forest Park will be finished in 2008. And the Digital Beijing Building will be ready by the end of this year.
2. Marketing for the Olympic Games has been successful.
We are nearing completion of the Beijing Olympic Marketing Plan. 64 corporations from home and abroad, including the 12 IOC Worldwide Olympic Partners, are sponsoring the Beijing Olympic Games.
As sponsors for the Games, some Chinese corporations have raised their international profile. Lenovo was the first Chinese enterprise to join the IOC's TOP Programme.
To implement the Olympic Marketing Plan and increase the awareness of IPR protection, the State Council issued Regulations on the Protection of Olympic Symbols, establishing favourable market conditions for sponsors.
3. Creative plans for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are finalized; rehearsals and production are in progress.
The creative plans for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies have been finalized, thanks to the diligent efforts of the creation team. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies in the Beijing Olympic Games will demonstrate the essential value of "One World, One Dream", showcase the concepts of a "Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics and People's Olympics" and highlight the themes of "civilisation" and "harmony". Production and rehearsals for the Opening Ceremony have now started. Outstanding artists and troupes of performers will be selected from all over the country to participate in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Through joint efforts, we will make the ceremonies a spectacular event.
4. The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Route has been finalized; liaison outside the mainland of China is proceeding well.
The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will occur from late March 2008 to August 8, 2008, lasting 130 days. Altogether, 21,880 torchbearers will participate. Under the theme of "Journey of Harmony", the relay outside the mainland of China will follow the Silk Road and travel through 19 cities in 19 countries over five continents and Hong Kong and Macau. The relay on the mainland of China will last 97 days, and travel through 113 cities of 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. The flame will be carried to the summit of Mt. Qomolangma.
Liaison outside the mainland of China is progressing well. All the participating cities and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been positive in their response. The highlight of the relay will be the flame's climb to the summit of Mt. Qomolangma. This May, the General Administration of Sport, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Tibet Autonomous Region Government and the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) organized a rehearsal of the ascent to the peak, with positive results. A process for the selection of torchbearers home and abroad has been initiated.
5. We have completed the first phase of ticket sales; ticketing is expected to end successfully.
The total number of tickets for sale is about seven million. Our guidelines for the sales of tickets are to: "follow Olympic conventions, reflect Chinese characteristics, encourage public participation and highlight education for youth." We have, therefore, adopted a low price policy to enable more people to experience the Olympic Games. The average price of tickets is about 43% of that of the Athens Games. We also developed an Olympic Education Programme for Youth in order to offer low price tickets for young people.
The first phase of ticket sales for the public on the mainland of China has been completed. According to the draw, 1.59 million tickets have been allocated, of which 26,000 tickets are for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The second phase will commence toward the end of October. BOCOG has established close ties with NOCs for ticket sales outside the mainland of China. And ticket allocation is being confirmed.
6. Good Luck Beijing Sport Events are proceeding smoothly; all venue facilities and technical systems are reliable.
42 international sporting events have been planned for 2007 and 2008 to test venue facilities, technology, equipment, service policies and procedures, venue teams, etc. 19 of the 26 events planned for 2007 have taken place. In general, venue facilities meet the needs of the Olympic Games; services were well managed and operations went smoothly; Venue teams gained first-hand experience from the test events. Comments from the IOC and relevant International Federation (IFs) have been positive.
To test the effectiveness of the environment and transport contingency plan, the number of motor vehicles on roads was reduced by 1.3 million during the four days from August 17 to 20. During the test, the flow of traffic on main roads in the city proper dropped, the average speed of vehicles increased significantly and traffic congestion during rush hours eased remarkably. Air quality was much better, with pollutant emissions dropping by 20%.
7. Progress of the volunteer programme is encouraging.
During the Games, about 100,000 volunteers will directly provide services. So far, we have received more than 670,000 applications for volunteer services in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. To ensure quality services in key areas, we plan to recruit 30,000 specialized volunteers in 10 areas, including the dignitary programme, language services, driving services, media operations, competition organization, sports presentation and ceremonies. 24,000 people have passed interviews and are now receiving further training. More than 6,000 volunteers provided services during test events this year.
8. Preparations for the Paralympic Games are in full swing.
The 2008 Paralympic Games include 20 sports and 472 events. As required by the goal of "Concurrent Preparation, Equal Splendor", preparations are going well. Competition schedules by day have been set; the Paralympic emblem "Sky, Earth and Human Beings" and the mascot "Fu Niu Lele" have been presented to the public. Paralympic marketing has been launched, and 27 local and overseas businesses have become Beijing Paralympic sponsors. The one-year-to-go celebration of the Beijing Paralympic Games was held on September 6, 2007 at the China Millennium Monument, where the Beijing Paralympic torch relay planned route was announced. The Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay, passing 20 cities in and outside China, will be the first international torch relay in the Paralympic history. The successful International Goalball Tournament from September 13 to 16 marked a new phase of Paralympic preparations.
9. Olympic conventions have been observed and close ties have been built with the IOC and other related parties.
BOCOG and the IOC Coordination Commission have held eight meetings and nine project reviews. This close cooperation has created a favorable condition for work in all areas. Through the World Broadcaster Meetings, World Press Briefings and Sponsor Workshops held over the years and the Chefs de Mission Seminars this year, BOCOG and related parties had face-to-face, in-depth discussions about detailed issues, and as a result enhanced understanding and friendship.
The State Council enacted Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period. BOCOG later published Service Guide on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period. On July 1, "One-stop Service" was launched at the Beijing Olympic Media Centre, which has facilitated the media's work.
10. The environment standards have improved remarkably through the "Green Olympics" programme.
The air quality of Beijing has greatly improved as a result of almost ten years of effort, thanks to the use of natural gas and clean energy and stricter controls on automobile emissions, among other measures. In 2006, 66% of the days in the year were "blue sky" days, 17.6 percentage points higher than in 2000. Constant efforts in increasing green areas have resulted in an urban green coverage of 42.5% and a forest coverage of 51% in the metropolitan area.
The Olympic Green under construction will be the largest green ecological park in Beijing, with a green area of 475 hectares and a green coverage of 90%. The average green space of 15 venues and the Olympic Green is 67%, far exceeding our committed "coverage of 40% to 50% in Olympic venues". To conserve resources and energy, we are using rainstorms, geothermal power, photovoltaic technology and other technologies at all venues. A 6000-square-meters solar water heating system has been installed in the Olympic Village.
11. Transportation improves with better urban infrastructure.
On October 7, Subway Line 5 running through Beijing from the north to the south opened for a trial operation. Subway Line 10, the Olympic Line and the Airport Line will start operation by the end of July 2008. Some sections of the planned 305 km of highways and 159 km of expressways and trunk roads are already in operation. Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport will be completed by the end of 2007 and will be in use by early 2008.
To facilitate the travel of people with a disability, the Beijing Municipal Government has used the Olympic Games as an opportunity to develop accessible facilities. Construction of such facilities has become part of the Countdown Schedule on Major Priorities before the Olympic Games. Each year, 1000 adaptation projects are carried out. Beijing has already built 781 sidewalks for people with visual impairment, totaling over 1300 kilometers; adapted 76 pedestrian crossovers and 55 subway stations; opened accessible bus routes, with over 270 accessible buses now in service. Moreover, over 230 businesses in the service sector, all hotels at or above a three-star level, and 40 hospitals have been adapted to meet requirements for accessibility.
12. A campaign to "welcome the Olympics, promote civility and create a favorable social environment" has been launched to create a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
Public education on good behavior and personal integrity has been carried out to promote social harmony. The four specific goals are to "cultivate good manners, establish sound orders, deliver quality services and create a beautiful environment." Efforts have been carried out to promote civility in social etiquette, the urban environment, public order, spectator behavior and the service sector.
"Queue-up Day" activities have contributed to an obvious improvement of public order. More efforts have been made to create "Model Civility Areas." One hundred and thirteen model areas have been designated in various districts and counties, greatly improving the urban environment. Training programmes have been launched across service sectors in Beijing reaching 1.04 million staff in 14 sectors. These programmes have improved the competence of staff members and enhanced the quality of services.
To promote education on social etiquette and to guide public behavior, government entities at all levels have organized activities such as "Good Citizens Start with Me" and "Create a Harmonious and Civilized Entity." This has been done to promote polite manners, increase administrative efficiency and provide quality service. Cultural, sports and fitness activities have been launched in both urban and rural areas. The Sixth Fitness for All Sports Festival and cultural activities like "Fitness for All in Parallel with the Olympics" have encouraged public participation.
13. Regulatory and supervision measures have been implemented to ensure "an economical and corruption-free Olympics".
The Supervision Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad was set up at the same time as BOCOG to conduct independent monitoring during the whole preparation period. BOCOG also has an in-house Audit & Supervision Department. Entities directly involved in Olympic preparations such as the
Beijing Municipal Government and the General Administration of Sport of China also have specific monitoring agencies. An early start of auditing has guaranteed supervision of the preparations from beginning to end. A letter of accountability has been signed by each staff member to increase awareness of self-discipline and integrity. Comprehensive monitoring has been in place for construction projects and purchases of significant value, and the budget approval and finance management systems have been further improved.
Investments from non-government sources have been used for the construction of venues. Such sources account for about half of total investment. Existing venues have been fully tapped. Expanded or adapted venues account for about 50% of the venues. Four new venues, which can be used after the Games, have been built on university campuses. Based on considerations for safety, quality, function, investment and timeline, we have optimized the construction plan for venues. We now have fewer permanent venues and more temporary ones, and this will help reduce the costs of construction and maintenance.
This year is a decisive year for Olympic preparations. We will build on past achievements, pay more attention to details, and improve our efficiency. We will do our best to fulfill tasks in all areas and host a successful Olympic Games.
Liu Jingmin, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Executive and Vice President of BOCOG (October 19, 2007)
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