Beijingers join English-learning campaign   (BOCOG)  Updated: 2006-05-16 09:39  Some 50,000 citizens flocked into Chaoyang Park in 
the eastern Beijing to kick off the annual campaign promoting English-learning 
last Saturday. 
 
 
 
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    Beijing Vice 
 Mayor Zhang Mao declares the campaign open.[BOCOG] 
    |   Declaring 
the "English-learning Week" open, Beijing Vice Mayor Zhang Mao made a speech in 
English, noting that the municipal government has encouraged Beijingers to learn 
and use foreign languages with an aim to successfully host the 29th Olympic 
Games. 
As a result of the massive participation in recent years, the number of the 
citizens who can speak foreign languages may reach four million this year, most 
of whom being public servants and the workers at the service sector, campaign 
organizers said. 
 
 
 
 
   Citizens line up to 
 get English booklet.[BOCOG] |   
Lectures, meetings with well-known persons, interactive games, book sales, 
foreign language corners and donations featured the campaign which attracted 
also representatives of education agencies of foreign countries, foreign 
students and foreign businessmen in Beijing, embassy staff as well as overseas 
media. 
A highlight of the activity was the recruitment of foreign language 
volunteers, who will go into neighborhoods to help learners resolve their 
questions. 
   
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