China invites the world to Olympics at one-year countdown celebrations

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 08-09-2007 08:11

Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2007 shows a general view of Tian'anmen square during the grand gala held here on Wednesday night celebrating one-year countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Photo: NEWS.CN)

In Beijing, the International Olympic Committee has formally invited its branches around the globe to the 2008 Olympics. The invitation was delivered Wednesday night in Beijing at a celebration marking the one-year countdown to the Summer Games.

In exactly one year's time, the Beijing Olympic Games will open.

IOC president Jacques Rogge joined Chinese officials to celebrate the moment.

At the grand gathering, Rogge delivered invitation letters to Olympics committees of more than 200 countries and regions.

This invitation stands out from all its predecessors.

It's the first time in the history of the Olympics that such an invitation was delivered from a host country. In the past, they all were sent from the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Rogge said, "The world is watching China with great expectations...."

And Chinese leaders and Olympic organizers expressed their confidence that the Games will be a success.

Wu Bangguo, chairman NPC Standing Committee, said, "The 2008 Beijing Olympics will be a high-level event with China's own characteristics. This is a guarantee from China and our people. We'll strengthen our cooperation with the IOC, spare no efforts in supporting the preparation work, and ensure the Beijing Olympics are successful. "

Liu Qi, BOCOG president, said, "The year ahead is a crucial year for preparation for the Beijing Games. We will carry out the instructions of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, and focus fully on preparing and organizing the 2008 Games. We will try to improve our security measures and the city's environment, which will provide a more solid foundation for successfully organizing a high-level Olympics with our own characteristics. "

Artists from home and abroad gave their best performances to an audience of nearly ten thousand people.

Besides Beijing, co-host cities, including Tianjin, Shanghai,Qinghuangdao and Hong Kong also staged mass performances.

Although there is still one year to go, such enthusiasm will linger until the big moment.