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Xinhua Commentary: A Historical Event for the Chinese Nation
Today, the world has chosen Beijing. And the world is turning to Beijing. When members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cast their final votes for Beijing tonight, the world demonstrated its trust in Beijing and pinned its hopes on China.
In a rapidly changing world, it takes great courage, vision and insight to choose the best venue for a global event to be held seven years from now.
The members have cast their solemn votes for Beijing, capital of the world's largest developing country. Their wisdom has allowed them to see into the future and proved to them that in seven years, Beijing and the whole of China will be home to a stable society, a prosperous economy and a well-off population, that the country's transportation and environmental situation will be greatly improved, and that the cause of democracy and rule of law will continually advance.
Beijing's winning of the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games is another milestone in China's rising international status and a historical event in the great renaissance of the Chinese nation.
The spirit of the Olympic Games goes beyond political systems, ideological differences, cultural traditions and races, and is universally accepted and respected by the whole world. The competition to host the Games is one featuring comprehensive national strength, economic potential, technological power and cultural charm. It is a competition for national image and status. Winning the host right means winning the respect, trust and favor of the international community.
Today, Beijing has won such trust. It is a victory for Beijing. It is a victory for China, and it is a victory for the Olympic spirit.
China has a population of 1.3 billion people, and a market potential no investor can resist. Beijing has exciting plans for the Games; moreover, its citizens have great enthusiasm for hosting the event. The highest public support rate among the five candidate cities can be seen on the scrolls of signatures of Chinese people worldwide that seem to stretch from the Great Wall to Lausanne, and to Athens.
The world has felt Beijing's strength and been moved by its sincerity. As mankind enters the new century, there is a consensus among all the people: It is time for Beijing to host the Olympic Games. It is time for the Olympic torch to light the Great Wall. It is time for nearly 1.3 billion people to have a night-long carnival.
Tonight is also a night of celebration for the Olympic cause. Allowing the Olympic torch to light China is the best way to promote the globalization of the Olympic Games. An Olympic Games in the world's fastest-growing economy will create tremendous business opportunities, and will offer a rare chance for the IOC to strengthen its financial resources and to boost the world economy.
And of course, no one can deny that when people from all parts of the world gather in Beijing, the interchange between the Chinese and Western cultures will be unprecedented in the history of human civilization. When the Olympics embraces Beijing, both are winners.
China will prove to the world the decision by the IOC at the beginning of the century is wise. We believe Beijing can give the world the best Olympic Games in history.
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