HK Celebrates Beijing's Successful Bid for 2008 Olympics

"Beijing won!" The good news cheered up over 3,000 Hong Kongers from all walks of life who gathered at the Kowloon Park Friday evening to celebrate the success of Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Elsewhere in the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon District and New Territories, tens of thousands also held various kinds of activities to celebrate the event.

A spectacular variety show was staged from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p. m. at the Park. At the Kowloon Park Piazza, a gigantic TV screen measuring 30 square meters was erected for the public to enjoy the fantastic performances and witness the decision made by the International Olympic Committee in Moscow on the hosting right of the 2008 Olympic Games.

In addition, segments of the spectacular variety show was broadcast live by TVB Jade in its special sports program, ATV-Home 's "New Beijing, Great Olympic" and Cable TV News Channel Two's Olympic Special as part of the stations' support for the event.

Officiating at the three-hour "Hong Kong Residents Fully Supporting Beijing's Bid For the 2008 Olympic Games" variety show were Secretary for Home Affairs Lam Woon-kwong, and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Wang Fengchao.

Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Department Paul Leung Sai-wah, Director of Broadcasting Chu Pui-hing and Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong Victor Hui were present.

"Beijing's successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games will certainly benefit Hong Kong, for I am quite sure the Chinese economy will grow a bit faster as we step up the infrastructure investment," said Selina Chow, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

This world-class sporting event would bring a substantial number of additional visitors to China, which in turn would help significantly boost arrivals and spending in Hong Kong, as a major gateway and travel hub to the mainland, Chow said.

Also attending the meaningful event are representatives from 72 National Sports Associations and 18 District Sports Associations, veteran athletes, pop artists and disk jockeys from Radio Television Hong Kong.

The highlight of the show was the live broadcast of the decision made by the International Olympic Committee on the hosting right of the 2008 Olympic Games in Moscow.

The show featured various sports games played by athletes and entertainment celebrities. Athletes taking part in the show included Li Fai, Fong Lik-sun and So Wa-wai. Dazzling performances were given by popular artists including Aaron Kwok, George Lam and Hacken Lee.






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