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.     

Beijing Ready for the Olympics

August 8,2008 will see the grand opening of the XXIX Olym- pic Games in Beijing,when athleles from over 200 countries and regions will gather in the capital.     

The Best of Beijing

FOR much of China’s history, the city of Beijing has been the nation’s capital.Thus it boasts a wealth of ancient cultural treasures,     

Extending Beijing＇s Ancient Backbone

THE concept of a ＂center＂ is one of the most distinctive characteristics of China＇s traditional culture, and is reflected in the design of the country＇s ancient cities like Beijing. While the traditional layout of the capital is still evident, in contemporary times the Olympic Games have seen the capital＇s ancient backbone extended northward.     

Qinhuangdao Takes Advantage of the Beijing Olympics to Move Ahead——A Conversation with Zhu Haowen,Mayor of Qinhuangdao

QINHUANGDAO in Hebei Province is famous for its section of the Great Wall and pristine beaches.But it is more than just an ideal summer resort.In 2008,it attracted world attention as the only prefecture- level co-host city of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,staging not only some memorable Olympic football matches, but also taking advantage of the opportunities created by the Games to move ahead in terms of development. China Today spoke with Zhu Haowen, the city＇s mayor,and he described Qinhuangdao＇s unique charm with seven key words.     

Is Beijing’s Dialect In Need of Protection?

正Beijing released China’s frst survey on the healthiness of the capital’s dialect in late May, revealing that students in middle schools know less and less about it. Therefore, Beijing has begun to try to open courses on this and related cultural activities on campus, with a view to protecting and spreading the local tongue.With the infux of people from all over the country, standard Putonghua is now the dominant language among Beijing’s residents, so     

The Olympics Economic Bonanza （Ⅱ）

THE demand for capital and financial services in the leadup to the Beijing Olympic Games is immense. Come August, over 10,000 athletes, 70,000 working personnel and 21,000 registered members of the press will gather in China＇s capital. Entries to the PRC by foreign nationals are expected to exceed 4.6 million, representing an estimated RMB 4.5 billion worth of consumption. Demand for foreign currency exchange,     

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.     

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.     

A Sound Principal Underlying a Good Education

WHEN Zhuo Li arrived for his first day of teaching at Beijing＇s Shijia Hutong Primary School nearly half a century ago, the school comprised 19 shacks in an abandoned temple. The principal addressed student assemblies through a paper cone in place of a bullhorn. In the intervening 46 years, the school has grown into one of the most prestigious in China＇s capital, complete with mod- em buildings and top-rate teaching. Zhuo has been instrumental in this development, serving 25 years as deputy principal before becoming the school＇s principal 18 years ago. His progressive ideas regarding education have helped set the school＇s tone and make it one of the most highly regarded educational institutions in Beijing.     

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony： Zhang Yimou Keeps Everyone Guessing

Ireally can＇t tell you anything about the opening ceremony,“ Director Zhang Yimou says with a smile. Presently, Zhang＇s ”offi- cial“ identity is chief director of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in August. More broadly, he is probably China＇s bestknown film director, who first came to prominence as part of the so-called “fifth-generation” in the late 1980s. He has garnered numerous awards globally, including the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes for To Live （1994） and ihe Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festi- val for The Story of Qiu Ju （1992） anc Not One Less （1999）. More recentl5 Hero （2002）, House of Flying Daggers （2004） and Curse of the Golden Flowel （2006） have all been box office hits ir China and abroad.     

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Editor＇s Note： China＇s vast territory and long history have engendered a profuse and colorful intangible cultural heritage. Wang Wenzhang, president of the China Art Academy, and his staff have spent years on comprehensive research into China＇s intangible heritage with the aim of salvaging aspects of it that are in danger of dying out. Talking to Wang Wenzhang on the subject truly brings home its universal significance. As Wang says, ＂The intangible cultural heritage immanent in folklore, ballads, festivals and handicrafts constitute the quintessence of a nation.＂ Folk festivals are a main aspect of the cultural heritage of China＇s various ethnic groups, one that we will explore and bring to our readers throughout 2008. To quote Wang Wenzhang once more, ＂History enables knowledge of a nation; knowing its intangible cultural heritage gives insight into its spirit.＂     

The Olympics Economic Bonanza

SINCE Los Angeles unexpectedly reaped a profit in 1984 for the first time in the history of the modem Olympics, the quadrennial event has become an economic bonanza for host cities. Barce- lona, for example, achieved a profit of US $26.05 billion in 1992. The Olym- pic-related economy in Beijing is also picking up as the big event draws near.and put up eight temporary structures in and around the park. After the Games, the park and venues will continue to host top sporting events, and provide ample facilities for the public＇s sporting activities. The boom is expected to last well beyond August. At the begin- ning of 2007, the Beijing Municipal Government stated that sports-related businesses are set to be one of the city＇s     

Catering for the Beijing Olympics

DURING the 2008 Olympics, 280,000 people from more than 200 countries and regions will need catering services. What will Beijing put on their dinner tables, and how will it handle the entire catering process？ These are issues that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the ⅩⅩⅨ Olympiad （BOCOG） cannot afford to ignore.     

Treasure Trails

<正>A cultural hub basking in ancient tradition and artistry,Beijing is a magnet for history buffs.By late 2020,China’s capital counted nearly 200 museums,according to a blue paper released by the Beijing Society of Museums and Social Sciences Academic Press in May 2021.The city’s development plan also outlined that by late 2025,the number of museums will reach 260.     

A Global Inspiration——the China Disabled People＇s Performing Art Troupe

AS a large-scale,multi-disciplinary theatrical performance by the China Disabled People＇s Performing Art Troupe,My Dream was a cultural highlight of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.It included 18 programs that ranged from music and Peking Opera,to dance dramas and musicals.Its evocation of Oriental charm,with a blending of international cultural themes,left many audiences in tears.     

Touch Rugby in Beijing

CRIES of ＂Touch!＂ and ＂Roll ball!＂ emit from green-clad Beijing Zhongkui Rugby Club players as they practice ballpassing in the playground of a school in northern Beijing, Club members meet weekly to practice touch rugby, China＇s latest sporting craze.     

American Pizzas Nest in Beijing

KRO came to study in China as a senior high school exchange student when he was 17. He lived in a Beijing hutong, learnt to drink Chinese .spirits and became fluent in the city＇s distinctive dialect. This handsome half American, half Norwegian guy also gained a Chinese name： Zhuang Xiaolong. After finishing college, Kro returned to Beijing in February 2006 and opened Kro＇s Nest pizza restaurant near the west gate of Peking University.     

Fortune Comes to Beijing

THE 2005 Fortune Global Forum is to take place in Beijing from 16-18 May. This year's will be the economic extravaganza's ninth session, and the third time it is staged in China. Both Hong Kong and Shanghai have previously held the Forum. AOL Time Warner, as well as the Beijing Municipal Government, and the State Council Information Office, will sponsor the event. Chinese President Hu Jintao will make a keynote speech. Participants will include more than 300     

Liu Haiying, Captain of China＇s Convention and Exhibition Industry

THE 530,000-square-meter China National Convention Center adjacent to Beijing＇s National Stadium and National Aquatics Center （known respec- tively as the “Bird＇s Nest” and the “Water Cube”） is another recent addition to the capital＇s already imposing skyline. The center will be the site of the Olym- pic main press center and international broadcasting center and also the venue for the fencing and pistol shooting （part of the modern pentathlon） events. The complex encompasses a 6,400-squaremeter conference hall, a 24,000-square- meter exhibition section and a hotel of 443 guest rooms.