Mr. He Zhenliang's Opening Speech

Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of my country and of the Chinese people nurturing fervent hopes about this session today, we have the honor, for a second time, of presenting Beijing's bid for the Olympic Games.

Eight years have already gone by since our first bid for the 2000 Games. During this period of time, my country has made tremendous strides on the road to modernisation and social progress. As the Evaluation Commission has indicated, Beijing has the capacity to organize an excellent Olympic Games which will hand down a unique heritage to China and to sport.

To my right, here is the Beijing's delegation who will present to you our bid.

But first, let me introduce to you the Vice Primier of China, Mr. Li Lanqing. He is one of the top leaders in our country and a great friend of the Olympic Movement. Now, Mr. Li please.

Vice Premier Li Lanqing's Speech

Mr. President,
IOC members,
Ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Chinese government, I wish to reaffirm that our Government stands firmly behind Beijing in its bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Chinese Government respects and appreciates the conclusion reached by the IOC Evaluation Commission. We have worked out a plan accordingly to ensure an excellent Games in Beijing.

The Chinese Government will honor each and every commitment it has made in Beijing's Candidature File and will do whatever it can to assist Beijing to fulfill its promises.

China embraces the Olympic spirit and has always been a staunch supporter behind the IOC initiatives.

Over the past five decades, thanks to, among other things, the nation-wide "fitness-for-all" sports campaign, our people's health has been greatly improved, and the average life expectancy has increased from 35 years to 70. Our athletes have been doing quite well in the sports events organized by the IOC.

To further promote the Olympic spirit, China has also helped other developing countries with their sports facilities. For instance, we have helped them build 36 stadiums. And we will continue to do so in the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to take this opportunity to pledge to you that if there is a surplus in the Games revenue, we will use it to set up an Olympic Friendship and Co-operation Fund for financing sports undertakings in developing countries. If there is a deficit, the difference will be covered by the Chinese Government.

China has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world over the past 20 years since its reform and opening-up. It has enjoyed continued political stability, social progress and economic prosperity.

An Olympic Games in Beijing will not only serve the interests of the Chinese people, but also promote the Olympic spirit and contribute to peace and friendship, stability and development in the world.

Many people in the world have a dream that one day they could come to China and visit Beijing. My fellow countrymen, for their part, share a strong desire to stage an excellent Olympic Games in Beijing, which, as they see it, is a great contribution to the Olympic Movement. I therefore hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you, distinguished IOC members, will help them realize their long-cherished aspirations.

Chinese sage Confucius says, " Is it not a delight after all to have friends come from afar!" Indeed, it is our delight to welcome all guests with open arms in Beijing in the year 2008. I am sure you will have a great Games in Beijing.

Thank you!

Mr. Liu Qi's Speech


Mr. President,
Distinguished IOC Members,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

New Beijing, Great Olympics reflects our desire to host a great Olympic Games in the new century in a city with ancient culture and modern charm.

The three themes of our bid are: Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics. Our goal is to spread the Olympic Ideals among our people, especially 400 million young people.

Over 95% of our population supports the bid - because they believe that hosting the 2008 Olympic Games will help raise their quality of life.

Over half a million people have volunteered to assist in any and all Olympic projects. Our citizens, both young and old, are actively learning foreign languages to welcome you in friendly and familiar voices. As you may notice, I am learning English now.

In 1998, we began a 10-year program of 12 billion US dollars to improve the environment. We will use the most advanced and reliable technology for all Olympic projects.

The Beijing Organizing Committee will have full power to comply with all of the obligations of the Host City Contract and to meet all of the needs of the Olympic Family.

We are committed to meet each of the challenges cited in the Evaluation Commission report.

I want to say that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will have the following special features:

- They will help promote our economic and social progress and will also benefit the further development of our human rights cause.
- They will promote an exchange of rich Chinese culture with other cultures.
- They will mark a major step forward in the spreading of the Olympic Ideals.

Ladies and Gentleman, I am very confident that Beijing will organize an excellent Games in 2008 and the Games in Beijing will leave a unique legacy to China and to sport. Let us all share this unique legacy together.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Yuan Weimin's Speech

Mr. President,
Distinguished IOC members,

I myself have been involved in sports for more than 40 years, as a player of national volleyball team for 13 years, as national team head coach for 8 years, and working in the Chinese Olympic Committee for 17 years. I have personally experienced the deep passion of the Chinese people and our Government leaders towards sports, towards sportsmanship, and towards the Olympic Ideals. I cannot remember on how many occasions I was moved and touched by this passion.

Today, I represent the Chinese Olympic Committee, and various Chinese National Sports Federations, to make a pledge: if you choose Beijing as the venue for the 2008 Games, we will fully support, assist, monitor and work together with the Beijing Organizing Committee to ensure the delivery of one of the most successful Olympics in the history of the Games. We will continue to firmly carry out all the IOC anti-doping decisions and do all that we can to safeguard the purity of sport.

We will work with the IOC, NOC's, IF's, sponsors, and friends from the media to establish an open, and effective working relationship. We will gather knowledge from around the world and invite experts to Beijing to give us advise and guidance in our work.

I have full confidence that with the support and assistance of all of you present today, China will definitely be able to stage one of the greatest Games in 2008.

Thank you.

Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the IOC,
Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Lou Dapeng, Sports Director of Beijing Bid Committee. Today I have the honor of reporting to you what we have planned for world's athletes in 2008.

Having been an athlete, coach and a sport administrator-and in particular having served as a technical delegate at the Olympics-I have learned that nothing in the Olympic Games is more important than the interest of the athlete. Our entire plan has been developed with the athlete's needs at the center. All decisions were driven by the question: what is best for the athletes, both the Olympians and the Paralympians. With the advice and guidance of the International Federations and the input from our athletes, I am pleased to be able to say with modesty that we have answered this question effectively.

For the 2008 Games, we shall present the 28 sports in 37 competition sites, supported by 59 training sites, all IF approved in concept.

The 32 venues in Beijing are conveniently located along the main transportation routes within the city in four primary clusters: The Olympic Green, the Western Community Area, the University Area and the North Scenic Area. 53 percent of the venues are less than 10 minutes travel time from the Olympic Village and all 32 less than 30 minutes. This guarantees the greatest possible convenience for the athletes.

The five venues outside Beijing, those for sailing and football preliminaries are well connected to Beijing by air and road and their sub-Villages are all within five minutes from the venues.

By the end of 2006, all the venues will be ready for test events. They shall incorporate the latest technology and input from the IFs. By then, Beijing will have one of the finest networks of state-of-the-art sport facilities found anywhere.

The jewel in the crown of our plan is Beijing's remarkable Olympic Green, 1, 215 hectares of prime land close to the city center.

The Olympic Green will serve as the vibrant center point of the 2008 Games, encompassing the three dimensions of Olympism: sport, culture and environment. In the Olympic Green, you will find 14 major sport venues, including the National Stadium; the Olympic Village; the Media Village; the MPC and IBC; as well as the cultural facilities for the athletes and a superb forest park of 760 hectares.

56 percent of the athletes in Beijing will compete in the Olympic Green.

The Olympic Village will consist of permanent low-rise apartments that provide the athletes with an average of 22 square meters each, more living space than at any previous Games. Every two athletes will share a bathroom. Each unit is equipped with air conditioning, television, phone and computer connections ¡­ so from their rooms all athletes can share their experience with their loved ones back at home. The Village will also serve as the Paralympic Village.

The Village will offer a great multi-cultural setting that respects and embraces the cultural and religious diversity and dietary requirements of all Olympians and Paralympians.

Every delegation, both for the Olympics and Paralympics, from the largest to the smallest, will enjoy the same attention, service and support-attaches who speak their own languages will be at their service at all time.

Over the past decade, China has hosted over 50 world and continental championship events and multi-games, including the 11th Asian Games, the 1st East Asian Games, as well as the 6th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled. Next month, Beijing will host the 21st Universiade. Through hosting these events, we have gained valuable experience in planning and organizing every aspect of major sports. We welcome experts from previous Games to work with us so as to build on past experience and success.

In the coming seven years, we earnestly look forward to your guidance and a close partnership with the IOC, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, and IPC, to ensure Great Olympics in New Beijing in 2008.

Thank you.

Now, I would like to invite Mr. Wang Wei, the Secretary General of our Bid Committee to take the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Lou.
Mr. President,
Respected IOC Members, good afternoon.

Apart from a sports plan as described by my colleague Mr. Lou Dapeng, Beijing possesses a modern infrastructure to ensure the smooth operation of a truly great Olympic event.

First of all, Beijing has a developed transportation network, supported by 5-ring roads and numerous arterial and connecting roads. By 2005, upon the completion of the 100 kilometers of expressways and 109 kilometers of subway, a magnetic levitation train system will also be in place to provide better access from our new airport to the city center. Traffic control will be achieved through our extensive high-tech GPS system.For the Games, we plan to build subway extension within the Olympic Green. As a result, 80% of the venues can be reached by subway. All the accredited people will be able to travel free of charge on the Beijing public transport system.

The Olympic family will be serviced by a dedicated fleet of vehicles with English speaking local drivers.

The Games in Beijing will also enjoy state-of-the-art technology systems. According to a survey of 9 major cities, including Beijing, 73% of children aged between 10-12 are computer users. The number of mobile phone subscribers in China ranks second in the world, and in the past 12 months alone, the increase of mobile phone users was 60 million. With this track record in technology development, we are confident that in 2008 Beijing will be able to apply technology to the Olympics at the highest level.

Our city is equally well equipped with visitor accommodation. In 2008, there will be 130,000 star-rated hotel rooms in Beijing. For the IOC, NOCs, IFs, broadcasters and sponsors, there is a wide choice of conveniently located hotels. A cluster of 4-5 star hotels right at the city center is close to Beijing's best attractions and shopping area. These accommodation benefits extend to all judges and referees, each of whom will have their own room in no less than three-star facilities.

Regarding the environment, Beijing has come a long way since its last bid in 1993. The city has taken giant steps to fight pollution caused by industrialization and economic growth. Although we must continue to work on this, substantial results have been achieved, including remarkable improvement in air-quality through vehicle emission controls and greater use of clean energy sources. Our bid has further stimulated support among the people, business and government for a united approach to environmental improvement. A three-year program of tree planting will be completed by the end of next year, forming an ecological green belt around the city of Beijing, covering an area of 10,000 hectares with 12 million trees. Therefore, the 2008 Olympic Games will leave a great environmental legacy-with new standards and benchmarks for developing cities which will in turn, have positive impact on our overall environment.

In conclusion, Beijing has the resources, the ability, the desire and the commitment to provide first class facilities and infrastructure for the Games. So, I would like to take this opportunity, ladies and gentleman, to invite all of you to Beijing in 2008, to have a great Games and enjoy our great services.

Thank you.

Dear President,
IOC Members, friends,

I am Deng Yaping, 4 time Olympic gold medallist in table tennis. Together with me is my friend Yang Ling who is a 2 time gold medallist in shooting. Today, we are here representing China's athletes and the 400 million Chinese young people.

We know that the Olympic Games have been held in more than 20 cities around the world. Our athletes have enjoyed the friendly welcome of the people in many Olympic cities. We experienced this ourselves as members of the Chinese team in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. We are dreaming of the day when the Olympic Games come to Beijing and we have the chance to repay the world's hospitality.

Let me share with you and my friend Yang Ling an experience I had when I joined the torch relay in Sydney. People were cheering and laughing with great joy. A little boy came up to me. His eyes lit up when he touched the torch. I felt at that moment his life was changed. How wonderful it would be if the Olympic flame comes to China and lights up the hearts of all Chinese young people.

Beijing will be great for the athletes. They will have great venues, a great Village, a new and unique cultural experience - and more fans than you can imagine.

Now we are asking you to give us the chance to personally experience a great Olympics. This Games will be a milestone in Olympic history, and in the history of China. These are exciting times, now I'd like to have my friend to share with you this excitement.

(Mr. Yang Ling)

We all love the Olympics.
See you all in Beijing.
Thank you.

Now I'd like to introduce Ms. Yang Lan.

Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon!

Before I introduce our cultural programs, I want to tell you one thing first about 2008. You're going to have a great time in Beijing.

China has its own sport legends. Back to Song Dynasty, about the 11th century, people started to play a game called Cuju, which is regarded as the origin of ancient football. The game was very popular and women were also participating. Now, you will understand why our women football team is so good today.

There are a lot more wonderful and exciting things waiting for you in New Beijing, a dynamic modern metropolis with 3,000 years of cultural treasures woven into the urban tapestry. Along with the iconic imagery of the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Great Wall, the city offers an endless mixture of theatres, museums, discos, all kinds of restaurants and shopping malls that will amaze and delight you. But beyond that, it is a place of millions of friendly people who love to meet people from around the world. People of Beijing believe that the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will help to enhance the harmony between our culture and the diverse cultures of the world. Their gratitude will pour out in open expressions of affection for you and the great Movement that you guide.

Within our cultural programs, education and communication will receive the highest priority. We seek to create an intellectual and sporting legacy by broadening the understanding of the Olympic Ideals throughout the country.

Cultural events will unfold each year, from 2005 to 2008. We will stage multi-disciplined cultural programs, such as concerts, exhibitions, art competitions and camps which will involve young people from around the world. During the Olympics, they will be staged in the Olympic Village and the city for the benefit of the athletes.

Our Ceremonies will give China's greatest-and the world's greatest artists a stage for celebrating the common aspirations of humanity and the unique heritage of our culture and the Olympic Movement.

With a concept inspired by the famed Silk Road, our Torch Relay will break new ground, traveling from Olympia through some of the oldest civilizations known to man-Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine, Mesopotamian, Persian, Arabian, Indian and Chinese. Carrying the message "Share the Peace, Share the Olympics," the eternal flame will reach new heights as it crosses the Himalayas over the world's highest summit - Mount Qomolangma, which is known to many of you as Mt. Everest. In China, the flame will pass through Tibet, cross the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, travel the Great Wall and visit Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the 56 ethnic communities who make up our society. On its journey, the flame will be seen by and inspire more human beings than any previous relay.

I am afraid I can not present the whole picture of our cultural programs within such a short period of time. Before I end, let me share with you one story. Seven hundred years ago, amazed by his incredible descriptions of a far away land of great beauty, people asked Marco Polo whether his stories about China were true.He answered: What I have told you was not even half of what I saw. Actually, what we have shown you here today is only a fraction of Beijing that awaits you.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that Beijing will prove to be a land of wonders to athletes, spectators and the worldwide television audience alike. Come and join us.

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you all.

Now, I would like to give the floor to Mr. He.

Mr. President,
Dear Colleagues,

No matter which decision you make today, it will be recorded in history. However one decision will certainly serve to make history. With your decision here today, you can move the world and China toward an embrace of friendship through sport that will benefit all mankind.

Almost 50 years ago, I took part in the Olympic Games for the first time; it was in Helsinki. Since then, I have become deeply attached to the Olympic spirit. And me, like so many of my countrymen, I am convinced that the Olympic values are universal and the Olympic flame lights up the way of progress for all humanity.

It has been a dream of mine throughout my career to find a way to bring the Olympic Games to China. I, too, want my countrymen and women to experience the eternal beauty of the Olympic dream in our homeland.

By voting for Beijing, you will bring the Games for the first time in the history of Olympism to a country with one fifth of the world's population and give to this billion people the opportunity to serve the Olympic Movement with creativity and devotion.

Dear colleagues, the message you send today may signal the beginning of a new era of global unity.

If you honor Beijing with the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, I can assure you, my dear colleagues, that, in seven years from now, Beijing will make you proud of the decision you make here today.

Thank you.

Dear Colleagues and delegates of the IFs and NOCs, we are now ready to answer your questions.