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Games Bid Enhances Rights of Nation's People
Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games will not only boost urban development but also help further advance the human rights conditions of China, a senior bid committee official said on Tuesday, February 6.
Liu Jingmin, vice-president of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee, stressed that the Olympic bid, which enjoys nationwide support, will further the development of human rights in China.
"Beijing's bid is the common aspiration of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Trying to help realize their wish involves respect for their human rights," said Liu.
Liu pointed out that the people's great efforts in developing the nation's infrastructure and improving environmental protection are not only for the sake of the Olympic bid but are also closely linked with the improvement of the people's livelihood.
"We have done more than work out a bid blueprint; we have also got down to work. We are taking environment-friendly measures and improving traffic conditions. We have done many things that bring tangible benefits to the broad masses," said Liu.
He cited a Beijing taxi driver, called Meng Jingshan, to explain why Beijingers were throwing their weight behind the bidding.
"Why does Meng support Beijing's bid? Because he is fully aware that as a result of the work done to further the bid, he could move out of his shabby house and into more spacious quarters. He understands that the bid can bring him a better life," he said.
According to a latest opinion poll conducted by the Gallup China Co, Ltd, as many as 94.9 per cent of the 1,626 Beijing residents polled support Beijing's bid.
Liu said that as the economy has developed, China's human rights conditions have gained much headway, evidenced by such things as the setting up of the grass-roots democratic election system and media supervision.
Liu said that the issue of the Falun Gong would not effect the city's pursuit of the sporting extravaganza when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) visits Beijing later this month.
He said that he was not afraid that the cult would damage Beijing's image or have an adverse effect on the IOC officials who will tour the ancient capital later this month.
"Politics should be kept separate from the modern Olympic Movement," said Liu, adding that "the Falun Gong should not be an obstacle in Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games."
Beijing, one of the five finalists in the bid for the 2008 Games, is the first destination of the IOC's only visit to each of the bidding cities, a measure instituted when the IOC enacted huge reforms to the bidding rules.
Beijing, Paris, Istanbul, Osaka and Toronto, were shortlisted earlier this year by the International Olympic Committee as official candidate cities for the 2008 Olympic Games.
The IOC will make its final decision in Moscow in July.
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