The 2008 Olympic Games will help strengthen cooperation between China and the rest of the world, boost peace and build a harmonious world, BOCOG President Liu Qi told diplomatic envoys of over 110 countries in Beijing Tuesday.

Liu, also member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and secretary of Beijing Municipal CPC Committee, made the remarks at the first Olympic briefing targeting foreign diplomats in Beijing.

On behalf of The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), Liu extended greetings to the envoys and expressed his sincere gratitude for their support to the Games.

"One world One Dream," the theme slogan of the 2008 Games, fully reflects the spirit of the Games -- to further world peace and development and to share the joy and happiness in the peace and friendship through the staging of the Games, Liu said.

He stressed that the Olympic preparatory work has been making smooth progress.

All competition venues will be completed by the end of 2007. Qingdao's sailing facility and the softball venue in Beijing underwent test events in terms of venue construction and sport organization through the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta and ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch World Championship.

Whilst the Olympic marketing is in full swing, options for Olympic torch relay and opening ceremonies are being designed. The volunteer program for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games was launched, attracting more than 100,000 applicants. In a word, conditions became riper for a successful Olympiad.

Liu pledged that BOCOG will provide first-class service for the athletes, foreign media and guests attending the Olympics. BOCOG will stick to three principles to continuously improve service items, content, and approaches. First, BOCOG will abide by the rules and conventions of the International Olympic Committee; second, it will treat all parties equally and by the same standard; third, BOCOG will respect individuality and pay attention to details.

BOCOG will provide excellent service for the participants from national and regional Olympic committees and athletes from everywhere. BOCOG will offer facility, effective service and courteous reception for international VIPs, including heads of states and governments, and royal members in the areas of protocol, registration, transportation, accommodation, ticketing, and security in line with international practices.

As of the media, Liu said, the Chinese government has been formulating related policies to make arrangements facilitating media reporting of the Olympics, in line with Olympic practices and Chinese government's commitment in this regard. "We are fulfilling our commitment," he said.

Additionally, Liu added, BOCOG will provide more thorough services for Beijing Olympic sponsors and comprehensive services inside and outside the venues for the spectators from around the world.

Since Beijing started to prepare for the 29th Olympiad, Liu said, a great volume of work has been done to improve the city's infrastructure, ecological protection and residents' civility, resulting in good conditions for the Olympics.

By the end of 2007, the 23 roads in and around the Olympic Green will be open to traffic and the new terminal of Capital International Airport will be put in use. The four rail tracks, now under extensive construction, will be put into operation before July 2008. Beijing has also speeded up the construction of barrier-free facilities for the disabled. As a result of more work in ecological protection, the ratio of the days meeting good air standard reached 68 percent in the first eight months of 2006. Forest coverage now accounts for 50.5 percent of the total land in Beijing, achieving the goal two years ahead of schedule.

In 2008, the city will meet foreign guests with a more beautiful ecological environment, Liu said. Beijing's service industry has grown rapidly. The digital information and internet technology has been promoted fastly in the areas of government administration, medical services, education and training as well as finance and insurance, thus brining benefits to people's daily life. This year, Beijing has been promoting a nation-wide campaign to raise residents' civility level.

Liu hoped that the foreign envoys will maintain constant contacts with BOCOG to convey VIPs' demands and opinions regarding service and reception matters of the 2008 Olympics, and will join BOCOG in new efforts to secure a successful Olympiad, promote cooperation and friendship between China and other countries, and build a harmonious world.

Chaired by BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary-General Wang Wei, the briefing was attended by more than 170 diplomats from over 110 countries.

Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei attended the briefing and delivered a speech.

Beijing Vice Mayor and BOCOG Executive Vice President Liu Jingmin updated on preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Attendees also included Yu Zaiqing, vice-minister of the General Administration of Sport and BOCOG executive vice-president, Lu Hao, vice-mayor of Beijing, and Jiang Xiaoyu, BOCOG executive vice-president.

(BOCOG September 20, 2006)