- Chinese Taipei Congratulates Beijing on Its Olympic Bid Victory
The Olympic Committee of Chinese Taipei Friday congratulated Beijing for winning the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
"We extend our congratulations and heartfelt good wishes to you after your good qualifications won the recognition of most members of the International Olympic Committee," said Huang Ta-chou, chairman of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, in a message to the Chinese Olympic Committee.
- Hong Kong Celebrates, Too
"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.
- Foreign Ministry Thanks the IOC
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said here Friday night that China thanks the International Olympic Committee and all friendly people in various countries after Beijing won the bid for hosting the 2008 summer Olympic Games.
Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2008 summer Olympic Games at the 112th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Moscow.
- World Athletic Group Praises IOC Decision
President of IAAF, athletics world governing body, Lamine Diack Friday congratulated Beijing for winning the right to stage the 2008 Olympic Games.
Diack said in a statement that decision meant China's 1.3 billion people would feel completely integrated into world sport.
"The International Amateur Athletic Federation has always sustained the belief that it is vital to open doors to China," Diack added. "By doing this, one underlines the message of unity in human relations and not division."
Diaz also added that he is personally convinced that Beijing will organize a magnificent Olympic Games.
- From Shanghai: “It’s Great.”
The success of Beijing Olympic bid will bring China's biggest city Shanghai great opportunities to develop, said Li Yaomin, vice president of Sharks Basketball Club Friday evening.
"It is great that Beijing wins the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games," he said. "It will not only promote sports standard of our country, but also play an important role to improve economic development of China."
"Beijing's success will bring us a lot of opportunities to cooperate with foreign partners," he said, adding that Chinese basketball pivotal player Yao Min will have a wider stage to perform.
Li's comments was echoed by Cai Bing, headcoach of Cable TV's Women Volleyball Club, five-time winner of the Chinese league. He said: "I hope the Women's National Volleyball Team will take the gold medal in Beijing Olympic Games. And I also hope my players will play an important part and bring us honor."
To win Olympic honor at home is a dream for all athletes, including Chinese women's soccer player Sun Wen, who is now playing in Atlanta.
"The Chinese women's soccer team has great hope to win in major championships, and I have great confidence that my daughter and her teammates will win in Beijing in 2008," said Sun Wen's mother Wang Qiuying.
