A theme song entitled Welcome to Beijing was released this week just ahead of the 100-day countdown to the opening of the Beijing Games.

Musicians launch the theme song for the 100-day countdown. [China Daily]

The song, which was produced to commemorate the April 30 countdown, features nearly 100 singers from across China.

Composed by Xiao Ke and with lyrics penned by Hong Kong's Lam Chik, the song was completed within two months and will be performed at a special gala a week on Wednesday.

"Welcome to Beijing expresses the enthusiasm of the Chinese people in welcoming guests from all over the world," said Zhao Dongming, director of the Cultural Activities Department of the Beijing Olympic organizing committee (BOCOG).

"Chinese musicians are supporting the Beijing Olympic Games in their own way. I hope the song will become popular as word of mouth spreads."

At the one-year countdown to the Games last August, the theme song We are ready was launched and quickly established a broad fan base.

The results of the fourth Olympic song solicitation will also be announced at the countdown gala later this month. About 30 songs will be selected as winners.

Regarding the official theme song of the Olympic Games, Zhao said it will be decided by BOCOG's executive board.

The upcoming gala will also feature more than 10,000 citizens participating in a marathon, which will finish at the National Stadium, or Bird's Nest.

Meanwhile, Beijing is planning to hold its biggest-ever Olympic cultural festival from June 23 to September 17, with hundreds of musicians, singers and dancers from around the world giving nearly 300 performances in the Chinese capital and other Olympic co-host cities.

"This year's sixth Olympic Cultural Festival will last the longest, involve the largest number of performers and enjoy the highest standard of any cultural activity we've organized," Zhao said.

China has been holding similar Olympic-related festivals since 2003. These have included film showings, song competitions and exhibitions.

This year it will include performances by Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and British soprano Sarah Brightman.

Zhao said the tickets would be reasonably priced so as not to exclude Beijingers from the celebrations.