The first news briefing of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee after its establishment was held in Beijing on Feb 21. Liu Jingmin, deputy mayor of Beijing and standing vice-chairman of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee, described the bidding work as "very hopeful but with quite a few difficulties."

Liu summarized the eight points of superiority of Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games Bid as follows:

1. China and Beijing are economically capable of hosting the Olympic Games;

2. China has a population of 1.2 billion, and both people of China and Beijing are strongly longing for hosting world-wide sports games on their own soil;

3. China has a sports-loving tradition and Chinese athletes perform excellently in world sports games;

4. Beijing will maintain a high-speed economic growth in the ten years to come and people's living conditions will continue to be improved;

5. Beijing is one of the safest cities in the world;

6. The city's infrastructure has made a big headway and its environmental quality has been greatly improved;

7. Beijing is a city of a long history and splendid culture, which gives a "hazy charm" to the whole world;

8. Beijing has an experience of hosting large-scale international activities.