203 countries to participate in 2008 Games

In Beijing, over 10,000 athletes from 203 countries will participate in the over 300 events of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

Benin is first nation to raise flag above the Olympic Village in Beijing

PEK: Beijing International Airport's newest terminal

Yes, surely most people have heard of Beijing's amazing new airport terminal, but I really want to put up a brief post on it. Well, it is quite impressive. Its ultra-modern design certainly makes those of us who use LAX and JFK jealous!

Beijing's makeover

My last trip to old Peking was about two months ago. During that trip I was astonished that Beijing's evolution had been so extensive. When I compare what I saw in May/June 2008 to what I saw during a prior stay in July 2007, I am amazed at the makeover the city had gone through in less than a year! Beijing's roads are now lined with potted flowers and plants. Sidewalks are cleaner, buildings are shining with new decorations, and even the people of Beijing look happier. Wangfujing Avenue is sparkling with modern façades, bright billboards, and brand new sidewalk tiles! Beijing in May/June 2008 felt like a completely different place.

Vanity Fair did this article on Beijing's new look.

I am excited to get back to Beijing next week to see what they've done in the past 9 weeks! (I'm hoping to see blue skies.) I'll post plenty of photos.

in and out of Beijing

so we'll be in and out of Beijing . . . not staying for the full 3 weeks in the Chinese capital. We'll spend some time in the city of the equestrian events: Hong Kong. Also, we'll take quickies to Taipei and Seoul.

staying in beijing?

just found this at Danwei.org:

Will you stay in Beijing during the Olympics?

by Yuan Yue

At last the Olympics have arrived. We all hope that the Olympics will be an untroubled success, but as a professional who spends a lot of time living and working in Beijing, should I remain in the city during the Olympics, or should I hide out elsewhere? Below, allow me present five reasons to stay in Beijing and five reasons to leave.

Five reasons to stay in Beijing: (1) This is a once-in-a-century opportunity that we ought to personally experience. When your grandchildren ask you about it, you should be able to say that you personally witnessed the spectacle, or else they might look down on you. (2) Lots of friends are coming to see the Olympics, so if you run off to avoid them, they'll think that you're not welcoming. I've even got some foreign classmates who are set to watch the Olympics. (3) There'll be swarms of celebrities at the Olympics, and for many people, this will be their only chance to see them. And you'll be able to see lots of superstars all at once, so you can really satisfy your hunger. (4) Many people will be able to employ their skills, to some degree. For example, there'll be even more foreign reporters than athletes, so those of us who know English can go around giving interviews so they'll have a more well-rounded understanding of China. We're always going off to far-off countries to promote China, but this time they've come here, so why not make a contribution? (5) The Olympics are the Olympics, and work is work. Athletes fight for the glory of the country in the arena, so we should continue to work steadily at our jobs so we don't fall behind. We should do what we need to here in Beijing, rather than let the Olympics delay the work at hand.

Five reasons to leave Beijing: (1) The Olympics don't need us. We have a huge, dedicated team, and the on-site volunteers are all set. Competitions on TV are clearer than in the stadiums, so let's not add to the mess by staying in Beijing and crowding out the international guests. (2) Everything will be inconvenient during the Olympics: cars use the even-odd system, roadways come under frequent control, and many places aren't easily accessible because of the need to look after foreign guests. Even many familiar bathhouses, massage parlors, and KTV joints have been closed. So with convenience and practicality in mind, we should go elsewhere for our activities. (3) During the Olympics, Beijing has substantially fewer meetings and professional, many of which have been moved to other places. Some international guests are even hoping to host events outside the country after being unable to obtain a visa for this period, so we ought to go where we're needed rather than remaining here idle. (4) During the Olympics, everything will be done for the service of the games and everyone will be focusing on the Olympics. But in fact, the things that people focus on are not necessarily the most important, and it is precisely during this period that many other thing require our attention. The victims in the Sichuan disaster areas, for example: we need to take this time right now to conduct another round of surveys of the needs of those victims. (5) The company's headquarters is located in Beijing, and I typically use that as a reason to spend most of my time here. Now there's finally a good reason to check up on my colleagues, clients, and partners in other areas.

So I've decided to spend half the time - particularly the beginning - in Beijing, especially to take care of friends and special guests who have come to watch the Olympics and to do what I can to contribute as needed. But the other half of the time I'll go elsewhere rather than postpone my work, both revolutionary and otherwise. So what's your choice?

concerns over security, rights, privacy, etc. during Olympics

Many foreigners are becoming quite concerned about the major security programs being implemented in Beijing and around China for the Olympics. I don't anticipate any major problems . . . it won't be worse than security at Salt Lake City, Athens, or Torino! Right?

Aviation in China

We hope that China can handle the major increases in air passengers during the next few weeks! This story is quite frightening:

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080729105124.fz8pp5h0&show_article=1

Beijing's Clean Air

 

Beijing's new Olympic Village

The Olympic Village in Beijing is another remarkable example of the country's growth and excitement to host the world.

In 2002, I worked at the Olympic Village in Salt Lake City.  Those have since become student housing units at the city's University of Utah.  

This Sunday the BOC has just unveiled its gorgeous and expensive Olympic Village (partially pictured above).  

 

The new facilities at the Olympic Village will provide the over 10,000 athletes with Lenovo computer lounges, extravagant eateries, comfortable suites, free haircuts, free Mandarin classes and tutors, as well as beautifully manicured gardens and parks.  It even has a large library and its own fire department.

By the end of 2008, the apartments in the Olympic Village will become available for rent, sale, or lease.  If you're looking to live in Beijing, these are great lofts!

Security issues at the Games in Beijing

There has been a lot of discussion about the security and safety regulations implemented and enforced by Chinese law enforcement and military during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.  They have a very ambitious security plan -- something that causes great concern for millions around the world.  Many ask if the Games will be "fun" with so many security precautions and regulations.

From the China Daily:

Safety departments at various work units and even drivers of subway trains, buses and taxis will be involved, said Qiang Wei, Beijing's deputy Party secretary.

He said Beijing would also work with the security organs of other countries - such as the United State, Germany, Britain, France and Russia - to enhance its defence against riots or terrorist attacks.

Qiang, also head of the co-ordination team organizing Olympic security that was established last December, made the remarks at a rally yesterday, which marked the implementation of the city's Olympic security masterplan.

But he did not reveal the budget for running the security scheme, which contains all-round protection in the air, on land and at sea for the Games.

Athens, which hosted the Olympic Games last year, spent more than 1 billion euros (US$1.3 billion) on security.

China's security programme could include security features similar to those used in Athens, which had a vast computer surveillance network with thousands of hidden cameras and microphones that analyzed dozens of languages.

"We should learn from Athens, which had an advanced security management system and high-tech equipment in order to ensure a safe environment for the Games," said Qiang.

The city has already dispatched five groups, involving a total of 39 people, to Athens to learn about its experiences.

"We do not want to turn Beijing into a fortress, but a place with an auspicious and peaceful atmosphere that will make athletes, coaches and visitors feel relaxed and safe," Qiang said.

Ma Zhenchuan, director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau, said apart from safety protection, providing a good service to participants was another priority task.

Ma said his bureau would carry out a seven-year language training programme, which started in 2001 when Beijing was picked to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

He said Beijing police will encounter thousands of people who do not speak any Chinese during the 2008 Olympics.

"We have published a textbook of 'Olympic Security English' which mainly focuses on the handling of every possible problem that may happen during our security work for the Games," said Ma, who is a deputy head of the co-ordination team organizing Olympic security.

Ma said his team would set up two branches - the Olympic security command centre and the intelligence centre - by June this year.

Mormon attorneys leading the BOC legal team

Two LDS attorneys are leading the Beijing Olympic Committee's legal operations with offices in both Beijing and Los Angeles.  the full article is available here.

Terrorist attack in Kunming

Chinese officials and military are tightening security in an almost frightening way. Some journalists have called the Olympics the "no-fun" Games because of the high levels of security expected in Beijing and throughout China.

I will be posting lots of info about security once I get to China in August.

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Israeli Olympic Team sponsored by Sunrider International

Sunrider's products are kosher, and have allowed Sunrider to become Israel's Olympic Team's sole dietary supplement provider/sponsor for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.  

Bush? Sarkozy? Merkel? Hu? Who??

I wonder which world leaders I'll see at the Opening Ceremonies on 8/8/08 at 8:08pm???

I'm still in Los Angeles

I am in Los Angeles, California. In August I will be attending the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Please return. I intend to do live blogging, post pictures, and share my experiences first-hand.