New Beijing Confident of Olympics BidBeijing, one of the applicants for hosting the 2008 Olympics, was questioned by an AP reporter about its plan for a " Green Olympics".At a recent news briefing, a reporter of AP asked, "it sounds nice for Beijing to hold a green Olympics, but water is needed for greenery and Beijing is short of water. How would you solve this problem?" Facing this sharp question, Liu Jingmin, the executive vice-president of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee, said frankly that problems regarding climate and water resources do exist in Beijing, but he also emphasized Beijing's water-saving measures, the third-phase project of the Beijing Sewage Treatment Factory now under construction, and the relationship between afforestation and water saving. After the news conference, Liu had a friendly talk with the reporter, saying that the latter's question was well put and extended an invitation to him, welcoming him to be a frequent visitor to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee. "Welcoming you reporters to come to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee" is the remark often made by Liu to reporters. Before the news briefing was started, Liu met a Reuters reporter and the two men had an informal friendly talk. It turned out that they had known each other before and the reporter had had an exclusive interview with Liu in the office of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee. Some reporters, who experienced Beijing's last bid, said with deep feeling that it is an expression of he Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee's confidence in the success in its 2008 Olympics bid. Owing to cultural difference between the East and the West, some foreign reporters often raised some sharp questions which made people feel uncomfortable. Now the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee's active response to the foreign reporters is a demonstration of its confidence in its own ability. Seven years have passed since Beijing lost to Sydney by a two-vote margin in 1993 for hosting the 2000 Olympic Games. Today Beijing has made great headway on all fronts. Its economic base has become stronger, new Beijing is full of vigor and confidence in its bid for hosting the 2008 Olympics. We would take the initiative to engage in dialog, make active communication and deepen understanding rather than passively accept suspicions and charges from the outside, so as to demonstrate our broad mind and self-confidence. This dovetails with concept "New Beijing, New Olympics" put forward by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee. |
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