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 diplomatic envoys to China.[BOCOG]

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 diplomatic envoys to China.

On behalf of The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), Liu extended his greetings to the envoys at the meeting and expressed his sincere gratitude for their support to the Beijing 2008 Olympic 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 pointed out 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, plans for Olympic torch relay and opening ceremonies are being studied. BOCOG, together with Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination Group, has launched the volunteers program for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with more than 100,000 people submitting their applications.

In 2008, tens of thousands of people, including athletes, members of the Olympic Family, heads of governments, journalists, sponsors and spectators, are expected to the Beijing Games. BOCOG will provide first-class service for the athletes, media, and foreign guests, Liu noted.

Liu said BOCOG will stick to three principles to continuously improve the service items, content, and approaches. First, BOCOG will abide by the rules and conventions of the International Olympic Committee; second, BOCOG will treat all parties equally and by the same standard; third, BOCOG will respect individuality and pay attention to the details.

BOCOG will provide excellent service for the participation and living of the national and regional Olympic committees and athletes of all nationalities. BOCOG will offer facility, effective service and courteous reception for international VIPs, including heads of states and governments, and royal members in terms of protocols, registration, transportation, accommodation, ticketing, and security in line with common practices. As of the media, the Chinese government has been formulating related policies to fulfill its promise to make for the arrangement of reporting on the Olympics. Additionally, BOCOG will provide more service for Beijing Olympic sponsors and comprehensive services inside or outside the venues for the spectators from around the world.

Diplomatic envoys at the meeting.[BOCOG]

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. In 2008, the city will meet foreign guests with a more beautiful ecological environment.

Beijing's service industry has grown rapidly. The digital information and internet technology has been promoted speedily, bringing benefits to people's daily life in carrying out government policies, medical services, education and training as well as finance and insurance.

To further promote social civility and other areas of "environmental software" construction, Liu said, Beijing is focusing on raising the level of residents' civility and the city's civilization."During the recruitment of Olympic volunteers, we will underline foreign cultures, customs and languages in volunteer training, with an aim to crate a better and more harmonious social environment for the Olympics."

"The briefing today gives us an opportunity to set up an effective contact channel between BOCOG and envoys of foreign countries. I hope that starting today, envoys of foreign countries will maintain constant links and exchanges with us to convey foreign guests' demands and opinions regarding the 2008 Olympics, in our concerted efforts to secure a successful Olympiad, promote cooperation and friendship between China and other countries, and build a harmonious world," Liu concluded.

Beijing Vice Mayor and BOCOG Executive Vice President Liu Jingmin updated on preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games. Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei attended the briefing and delivered a speech.

Chaired by BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary-General Wang Wei, the briefing was attended by diplomatic envoys of over 110 countries.

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.