Getting Around the Capital——Transport in Beijing

THE number of motor vehicles in Beijing hit 3.2 million in February this year - almost double the figure of late 2001. Despite the municipal government having spent some RMB 110 billion on improving traffic systems since Beijing was announced as the host city for the 2008 Olympics, an average day still sees chronic congestion in the capital. In August, hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches, sports officials, media personnel and tourists will flood into Beijing, placing even more pressure on the city and potentially creating a major headache for residents as well as the government.     

Modern Art in an Ancient Setting——Beijing's Red Gate Gallery

A SCENDING the ancient stone steps to Red Gate Gallery reveals the quintessential Beijing pan orama. The gallery is housed in Dongbianmen Watchtower, a Ming Dynasty structure straddling the last crumbling vestiges of Beijing＇s city wall. Like a besieged bastion of the city＇s imperial past, the watchtower is hemmed in by railway lines and Beijing＇s Second Ring Road. The glass and steel edifices of the CBD loom in the distance. It＇s appropriate that this ancient fortress, surrounded by a cornucopia of modern development, houses a gallery that has long been a cultural bastion of a more contemoorary kind.     

We Are Ready——An Interview with Qingdao Mayor Xia Geng

When the Beijing Olympic Games open next month,the sailing competition will take place in Qingdao,Shandong Province,August 9-21.We interviewed Xia Geng,mayor of Qingdao and head of the Sailing Committee of the Beijing Olympic Games.     

Extend Friendship to a Common Cause——On 11th Symposium on Edgar Snow

The 11th Edgar Snow Symposium,cosponsored by the China Society for Peo-ple’s Friendship Studies(CSPFS)and the Edgar Snow Centre of Beijing University,was held in Beijing on October 8,2004.To carry for ward the spirit of Snow in the exchanges between the peo-ple of China and the U.S.and extend friendship toa cause of common concern,the Chinese and the American sponsors agreed upon“Progress and Achievements Made in the Field of Life Sciences—A To pic of Common Concern to China a…     

Beijing Olympics——Striving for the Highest Quality Services

IN preparing for the Beijing Olympics,the goal has been to create a quality event with a strong Chinese flavor that will showcase the nation s history and culture to the world.As well as a sports meeting,the Beijing Olympic Games will be a diverse cultural pageant.The organizers are striving for the highest level of quality in all aspects of the Games,including the opening and closing ceremonies,media services,security,cultural events,and the organization of Beijing's infrastructure. The Beijing Olympic Games have been planned un- der the auspices of three overarching concepts:a green Olympics,a sci-tech Olympics,and a people-orientated Olympics.In practice this has meant ensuring sustainable development in the construction of venues and support- ing services,utilizing the latest and most advanced tech- nologies and promoting innovation,and upholding and enhancing the well-being and interests of people. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games will strive to realize the spirit of"One World,One Dream"by emphasizing the themes of"civi- lization"and"harmony."They will trace the evolution of Chinese civilization and its blending with the outside world,realizing a perfect combination of Chinese cultur- al and Olympic elements. The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BO- COG) has organized five Olympic cultural festivals to further the Olympic spirit. We have also organized publicity activities,such as a global tour of the Fuwa mas- cots,and an Olympic family tour of Beijing,to enhance foreigners' understanding of China and the Beijing Olympic Games.Cooperating with the Chinese Minis- try of Education,we have established 556 Olympic education teachers' schools. Meanwhile,we have organized 207 primary and middle schools in Beijing to con- duct international exchanges,to strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese young people and their counterparts from around the world.     

International Day of Peace——China-Finland Friendly Exchange Activity Held

September 21 is the UN-designated International Day of Peace. One of the activities in China to mark this year’s observation was a China-Finland friendly exchange activity held at the Beijing residence of the Finnish ambassador.     

JOB INFORMATION

Schools and Vacancies: Beijing Science and Technology Vocational Institute is a compre nensive institute of higher learning with approval from the Beijing Municipal Government and recorded at the Ministry of Education. The school is located in the northwest of Beijing, bordering the Lite Garden of the Zhongguancun Hi-Tech Zone (known as China's Silicon Valley) and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Village. The institute was established in 1997 and it has now become one of the top 10 public-sponsored universities of higher learning among over 100 in Beijing. We are looking for foreign experts in the education field. Website: www.5aaa.com E-mail: liuehanghui118@gmail.com     

Great Achievements Exhibited for More Understanding and Better Cooperation——On the Human Rights Exhibition in Beijing,November 17-26,2006

A large scale human rights exhibition was held inside the Museum of Culture Palace of the Nationalities in downtown Beijing, Novem-ber 17-26. 2006 mainly showcasing the country's efforts and progress it has made and is making in human rights protection and promotion in China since the founda-tion of new China in 1949.     

Austria—Sounds of Music Concert in Celebration of 40 Years of China-Austria Diplomatic Relations

The year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria.On the evening of May 6,the CPAFFC and the Austrian Embassy jointly held a reception and a concert in the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing in celebration.     

Translating——A Vital Historical Mission

WITH globalization developing apace, translation services around the world are more vital than ever. Accurate translations are crucial in facilitating effective communication, cultural exchanges, and understanding between nations and cultures. On the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics in August, the 18th World Congress of the International Federation of Translators （FIT） will take place in China＇s most international city, Shanghai. The triennial event promises to be a grand festive gathering for language and cultural exchange professionals from ,around the world.     

To Toast China——Vice Chairman of the Chilean-Chinese Institute of Culture Visits China

At the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC), Mr. Dario De La Fuente, vice chairman of the Chilean-Chinese Institute ofCulture (CCIC), and his wife paid a visit to Shanghai, Guilin, the Yangtze River Three Gorges,Wuhan and Beijing from June 4 to June 17. During their stay in Beijing, CPAFFC Vice-presidentXu Qun met with and entertained them. On separate occasions they had discussions on questionsthey were interested in with the leading officials of the China National Publications Import and Ex-     

Beijing's Two Wings

正The plan to make the megacity more of a pure capital takes shape On January 11,a flag-raising ceremony was held in front of the new office building of the Beijing Municipal Government in Tongzhou District in east Beijing.After being in the very center of Beijing’s downtown area for 70 years,the     

Ten Reasons for Beijing''''s Bid for the Olympic Games

Compared to the other candidates, Beijing has unique advantages in the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games. Its potential for success lies not only in the earnest aspirations of the entire population of Beijing, but also in its superior conditions through which it may triumph over the other candidates. 1. China is the most populous country in the world, yet it has never hosted the Olympic Games. If the 2008 Olympic Games are held in Beijing, capital of a country accounting for one-fifth of the …     

Beijing Ready for the Olympics——Beijing Olympics - Striving for the Highest Quality Services

August 8, 2008 will see the grand opening o1 the ⅩⅩⅨ Olympic Games in Beijing, when athletes from over 200 countries and regions will gather in the capital.
With a 3,000-year history, and serving as China＇s capital for about eight centuries, Beijing boasts a number of historical sites and a rich cultural heritage. Over the last 800 years, it has been the political and cultural center of China, and it is now emerging as one of the world＇s most bustling metropolises.     

Beijing Global Trade Center—A Business Hub

Located along the Beisanhuanlu, the Beijing Global Trade Center (GTC) boasts the largest office buildings in north Beijing. The GTC covers an area of nearly 500,000 square meters, integrating 5 A-grade intelligent office     

“The Insider's Guide to Beijing rates as one of the best,new,imaginative and informative guidebooks in a long time”—South China Morning Post

Immersion Guides,Beijing's leading English-language publisher of guidebooks for Beijing and beyond,is proud to present the 2008 edition of the Insider's Guide to Beijing (November 2007,ISBN: 978-7-5085-1172-6,90 yuan).This is not the run-of-the-mill guide- book written by travelers who spend a few harried days getting to know their destination.Combining the knowledge of 40 long-term residents, this is the guidebook that knows Beijing inside and out.Now in its fourth edition,this"Beijing Bible"(Beijing Today) is the most compre- hensive resource available for both travelers and residents. Fully updated annually to keep pace with the rate of change in Beijing,the Insider's Guide provides readers with practical informa-     

Right to Resignation——Thoughts of a lawyer

One day in March 2000, a young man came to the Qiankun Lawyer's Office, asking for help in a labor dispute. He is Tong Li, 25. He signed a "life-long" labor contract with the Beijing Fenghua Engineering Co. Ltd. in June 1999. On January 5 of the following year, however, he demanded termination of the contract on account that he was far from home and he had to take care of his ailing mother. But he was refused. Later on, the workers' congress of the company issued the rules on the management of labor contract and its detailed implementation rules.     

In Memory of Howard S.Hyman——An American GI Who Met Mao in 1945

A sad news from Puerto Rico:Howard S. Hyman, a dearfriend of the Chinese people andan American serviceman in war-time China, passed away therelast February at the age of 75.A picture of Mao Zedongwith three American Gls taken inChina's wartime capitalChongqing in 1945 is now a his-torical "relic" on display in boththe Red Crag Village Museum inChongqing and the Museum of theChinese Revolution in Beijing.     

Paddling in Music

The Ninth Beijing Music Festival and the Fourth Beijing International Symphony Season will be held October 2-29 in Beijing. In order to promote participation, the festival will host various types of interactive activities, making the festival a carnival for people and music fans. The Beijing Music Festival (BMF), established in 1998 and endorsed by the Ministry of Culture of China and the Beijing Municipal Government, has become one of the grandest and most significant annual cultural events in Asia and has attracted     

A U.S. PERSPECTIVE ON ICEBREAKING EVENT

Beijing Review: How do you remember the international situation at the time of the Shanghai Communiqué? Stapleton Roy: I was serving in Moscow when Dr. Henry Kissinger showed up in Beijing in July 1971. The Kissinger visit was the first manifestation that there had been a breakthrough in China-U.S. relations. The culmination of that breakthrough, of course, was the president's visit to Beijing in February 1972. It was really the turning point in the Cold War.