[Developer]

Premier promises clean, scenic Beijing during and after Olympics



Premier Wen Jiabao, BOCOG President Liu Qi, BOCOG Vice President Liu Yandong and other officials join the Chinese Men's Basketball Team and coaches for a group photo at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Photo Gallery>>
BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday promised to maintain a clean, green and beautiful Beijing during and after the Olympic Games.
Five days ahead of the Games, Wen visited athletes in training as well as volunteers and utility workers.

Yao Ming presents a basketball bearing the autographs of the team's players to Premier Wen Jiabao. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
"China is a responsible country. We will fulfill the promises we made for the Olympics. We will not only host high-quality and unique Games, but also build a more scenic, greener and more civilized city in a sustainable manner," he said.
Through the efforts of the whole society, China would host a grand sport event that satisfies the world, the athletes and audiences, he said.
On Sunday morning, Wen, with senior officials of BOCOG, including Liu Qi, Liu Yandong and Guo Jinlong, visited the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in the west of the city.
The Chinese Men's National Basketball Team was training at the stadium. Wen shook hands with the players and coaches, including NBA star Yao Ming, who had recovered from his left foot injury.
"Are you feeling well? Is your foot okay?" Wen asked China's most famous basketball player.

Premier Wen Jiabao plays table tennis with residents of a residential community in Fengtai District. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
"I loved playing basketball when I was a kid. It is still my favorite game," Wen said, joining the players to shoot hoops.
The Chinese team will play its first game of the Beijing Olympics against the United States on Aug. 10.
"Your first game will attract great attention. What you need is confidence and composure. No matter whether you win or lose, it is important to play with a sporting spirit," Wen said. "I hope you can win glory, dignity and friendship, displaying the true personality of the Chinese."
The team presented Wen with a basketball signed by the whole squad, and Wen also signed the ball used in the game he played.
He also met with volunteers working at the stadium and encouraged them to serve "in a careful and serious manner with a strong sense of responsibility."
Wen's next stop was the Dajing neighborhood near the Fengtai Sports Center Softball Field, where the Olympic Softball events will be held.
Old buildings in the neighborhood have been renovated, trees and grass planted and sport facilities built for residents.
Wen dropped in at the house of Shi Lin, who told him he was quite happy about the changes in his neighborhood.
The city's efforts to develop infrastructure and protect the environment had improved living conditions, he said.
"The Games are very short, but what is left behind will last," Wen said. "I, together with Liu Qi (Beijing party chief), promise that Beijing will stay as clean as now after the Olympics."
Noting that many local people were Olympic volunteers, Wen expressed appreciation for their efforts to keep the city safe and stable and to serve the visitors.
About one million Beijing residents have become volunteers.
Later Wen visited a power plant of the China Huadian Corporation, which is to supply electricity for the Games. The plant, fueled by natural gas, has adopted eco-friendly technologies, including a cooling system that uses recycled water.
As Wen was overseeing preparatory work in western and southern Beijing, about 8,000 technicians were busy testing information services for the Games in the Digital Beijing Building, a comprehensive information facility in the city's north near the National Stadium, or Bird's Nest.
They are to provide technical services for 31 competition venues, 15 non-competition venues and venues in co-host cities in the next five days.
"There is no second chance for us. Once the Games start, our work has to be successful," said Yang Yichun, director of the BOCOG Technology Department. "We are confident of technical support."

Premier Wen Jiabao speaks to residents of a residential community in Fengtai District (Photo credit: Xinhua)
On the street near the Bird's Nest, a police motorcycle escort team was launched on Sunday to lead the way for Olympic-related vehicles and cavalcades.
South of the Bird's Nest, Han Rubing and her family were getting their home ready as one of the Olympic home-stay families.
She and her husband have been improving their cooking skills.
"I hope my home can be a small window for foreigners to learn about China and the Chinese," said the university teacher.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles from Beijing, the Olympic torch started its three-day relay in southwestern Sichuan Province, which was devastated by a major earthquake on May 12.

Premier Wen Jiabao chats with Fengtai resident Shi Lin. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
On the first stop, Guang'an, people shouted "Go China" and "Go Sichuan" after a one-minute silent tribute for earthquake victims.
Sichuan will be the last stop before the torch reaches Beijing.

[osama salah]