The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is viewed as an excellent opportunity for China to present itself to the world, which will further China’s development and progress. Undoubtedly, preparations for the Olympic Games are drawing worldwide attention. One year away from the event, we hear from Mr. Jiang Xiaoyu, Executive Vice President of BOCOG, about the city’s vision, commitments to the media, and challenges ahead.

Q: What kind of Olympic Games will BOCOG show to the world?

We pledged to show the world a “high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features.” That means showing China’s unique style, cultural splendor, contemporary spirit and the participation of its people.

This Olympiad will reflect a style that displays China’s long history and rich culture and express the people’s friendliness and warm welcome for the Olympic Games. These Games will also be a grand, “people-oriented” ceremony that gathers athletes from around the world and celebrates cultural diversity. Embodying the themes of peace and development, this edition of the Olympic Games will showcase the fruits of technology and feature elements that have revived China into a well-off society. Meanwhile, these Games will be the most extensive in Olympic history in terms of the number of people participating.

From an organizational perspective, we wish to maintain high-level sports venues, facilities and competitions; high-level cultural events; high-level media services; high-level security efforts; high-level of volunteers and services; high-level transportation and logistics; high-level civility and hospitality; and, high-level athletes’ performances.

Q: How do you handle the thousands of requests for media interviews and how are you helping media report on the Games?

Journalists are the eyes and ears of the Olympic Games for the rest of the world, and thus we endeavor to provide high-level, professional and courteous services to media working and living in China

The Chinese government has made great efforts to assist media reporting on the Olympic Games. On January 1, the new “Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists During the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period” were put into effect, which includes allowing journalists to interview whomever they wish as long as they have obtain prior consent.

On May 9, BOCOG issued the “Service Guide for Foreign Media Coverage of the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period” clarifying the policies and procedures in areas such as customs, accommodations, transportation, communications and insurance. These new policies offer convenience and favorable conditions for foreign journalists reporting in China.

Also effective from January 1, the Beijing Olympic Media Center holds regular news conferences every week and established a 24-hour service hotline to provide convenient services to foreign journalists.

With each Olympiad, a new legacy is established for future editions. One innovation – the first in Olympic history – we have created is “one-stop” services for the Beijing Olympic Games. This working mechanism is a coordinating office amongst the related departments and agencies of the central and Beijing Municipal governments and BOCOG to process applications and service requests from media. The aim is to give journalists one central location to file applications, receive responses, submit requests, and obtain information.

These steps demonstrate our commitments outlined in the bidding period and to provide services in line with Olympic Games conventions.

Q: What changes will the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games bring to China?

As the city prepares to host the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, we have already undergone positive and long-term changes throughout China and that affect the Chinese people.

First, the preparations have enhanced the mutual understanding, friendship and trust between Chinese people and people around the world. Second, our efforts are contributing to the long-term economic development of the city and country. Third, China’s society has improved, and finally, the Olympic Games experience has created a valuable work force capable of helping China’s future development.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the preparations for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games?

Each edition of the Olympic Games has its own challenges and Beijing has several to overcome.

First, Beijing is a city in a developing country and it will host the Olympic Games for the first time ever. The city must closely follow IOC’s rules and regulations as well as abide by international practices. Currently, we have a need for people with the relevant experience in organizing such an event. We also recognize the need to communicate more internationally and learn to handle issues related to international sports.

Second, we have a large task in managing the city well to create better conditions and opportunities for the Beijing Olympic Games. Traffic is a common headache in Beijing and we are accelerating our efforts to construct more roads, further develop public transportation, improve traffic control, and increase public education on traffic to create a better environment.

In addition, environmental protection is a national priority in China. The sandstorm last year reminded us how serious it is, which stimulates us to work harder to protect our environment and strengthen our cooperation with neighboring cities and provinces to create a more beautiful environment for the Beijing Olympic Games.

Lastly, improving our hospitality and social development are important areas for us. How our citizens behave is important in presenting a positive image of the capital and to ensure the success of the Olympic Games. We will further programs to encourage more courteous behavior and orderliness and improve English levels to present Beijing citizens as civilized, friendly and hospitable hosts for all our international guests.