Ｃｉｔｉｕｓ，Ａｌｔｉｕｓ，Ｆｏｒｔｉｕｓ…Ｂｅｉｊｉｎｇ

Ｓｙｅｄ　Ａｌｉ　Ｎａｗａｚ　Ｇｉｌａｎｉ　（Ｐａｋｉｓｔａｎ）

The dawn of August 8th, 2008 will witness the grand opening ceremony of the 29th Olympics in Beijing. The worlds most prestigious mega sporting event where athletes & delegations from over 200 countries and regions will come together to participate in and enjoy the games of friendship. The Olympic motto: citius, altius, fortius, meaning faster, higher, stronger has been literally followed by China to transform itself into an emerging nation on the worlds stage. Ever since the 29th Olympic Games were awarded to Beijing back in 2001, China has invested billions in sports and infrastructure development. Anyone arriving in Beijing will be undoubtedly impressed with the new Norman Foster-designed Capital airport. The Beijing Olympic Park, with its Herzog & de Meuron-designed “Birds Nest” stadium and its bubble-skinned, transparent National Swimming Centre will surely be eye-catching. China will be spending a colossal amount of nearly US $30 billion on the Olympics. Besides building stadiums and parks, it is building a new subway system, new highways, and even a new sewage system. The Chinese capital is being re-made for the Olympics.

Beijing, the host city of the Olympics, has been the capital of China for the last 800 years, and can be rightly termed as the political and cultural hub of the country. Beijing is all set and offers all its resources ranging from improved transportation to healthy environment and all supported by trained volunteers. Beijingers are prepared to embrace the valued spirit of the game and warmly welcome athletes, participants and tourists from around the world.

There are about 35,000 journalists coming to the Beijing Olympic Games. They will be provided with excellent and efficient services. The Chinese government has extended its commitment by initiating a round the clock one station media service. Beijing Olympics will unfold a country of 5,000-year history and the worlds most populous country and will have long lasting influence on the Chinese people.

A 163 acre Olympic Village on the northern end of the north-south central axis in Beijing will be home to over 16,800 athletes, coaches and official staff. The village is divided into residential and inter- national quarters so that one can easily reach venues from village by road or by metro. It will take a drive of not more than 30 minutes to reach the venue from the village.

Total fool proof security measures have been taken on the event with a national command system involving police, army and armed police as well as security companies and volunteers. No doubt preparations and hosting the Olympic Games will play a key role in Chinas opening up and joining the international community as one of the leaders of the world.

In December 2007 a high level Friendship Delegation from the Chinese Peoples Friendship Association (CPAFFC) China visited Pakistan on the invitation of the Pak-China Friendship Association (PCFA) NWFP which was headed by Madam Li Xiaolin, Vice-President of the CPAFFC, she disclosed that ever since China won the event of holding the Olympic Games, the whole Chinese Nation got busy in preparation at their level. It was not just Beijing, which is the host city, but throughout China, everyone considers himself responsible as a host of this event, and the slogan of these games, “One World One Dream” as his mission.

The people of Pakistan as true friends of China will be watching the Games with awe and inspiration. It is worth mentioning here that Islamabad was one of the 22 cities chosen for the relay of the Olympic torch as the Chinese people and government wanted their Pakistani brethren to share the Olympic spirit when the flame arrived from Oman, and carried in Islamabad by the legendary squash player, Jehangir Khan, and a former Pakistani Olympian, Samiullah.

The sporting gala will start from August 8 to August 24, 2008 with the theme of one world full of harmony and integrity in the true Chinese spirit. The Chinese media, especially China Radio International, plays a vital role through its Urdu and English Services and its international linkages and Listeners Club and associations in informing the world about this Mega Sports event and its preparation by the Chinese people and their Government.

The Beijing Olympics will be Chinas coming out party—a symbol of this ancient countrys resurgence, of it once more taking its rightful place as one of the worlds great powers.

I also wish all the best to our Pakistani Olympic Mission for their success which is being headed by Syed Aqil Shah, NWFP Minister for Sports &Culture.; He is also the President of NWFP Olympic Association. Apart from being a son of the great sports lover, the late Lala Muhammad Ayub, the love for Sports and respect for Sportsmen is in his blood. Recently Peoples Republic of Chinas Acting Ambassador & Charge dAffaires in Pakistan, Mr. Yao Jing (as Ambassador Lu Zhaohui is in China) hosted a reception in honour of the Pakistans Olympic Delegation, which showed our Chinese friends special attachment with Pakistani Olympic Mission. While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yao Jing extended their best wishes, apart from all possible assistance to our mission during their stay in Beijing. The President of Sports Writers Association, NWFP, Mr. Amjad Aziz Malik also arranged a warm send-off for the Mission.

In the end, I wish all the best to the friendly people and Government of the Peoples Republic of China, and hope for safe and successful Olympics.

The writer is Secretary-General of Pak-China Friendship Association NWFP & President of Radio China Listeners Club NWFP.