When Beijing won the race to host the 2008 Olympic Games it caused a great sense of excitement and jubilation in China's capital. Beijing won out over Toronto, Paris, Osaka and Istanbul to become the first city in China to host an Olympic Games.
When the announcement was made by outgoing Olympic president Juan Antonio Samaranch, it was greeted with wild scenes of jubilation from the Chinese delegation in Moscow, and with fireworks in Beijing itself. More than 200,000 people packed into Tiananmen Square to celebrate the news - the largest spontaneous demonstrations since the democracy movement of 1989. From officially staged firework displays to spontaneous cheering and hooting of car horns from the massive crowds who brought the streets of Beijing to a near standstill, there was no doubting the genuine delight in China at the International Olympic Committee's decision. "Smiles everywhere, joy ignites," read the headline in the Beijing Morning Post. Even top political leaders, including President Jiang Zemin, joined the crowds, grinning broadly and hugging ecstatic revellers.
"Comrades, we express our deep thanks to all our friends around the world and to the IOC for helping to make Beijing successful in its Olympic bid," said the President.
China's nationalist rival Taiwan welcomed the Olympic decision, with many believing that it could reduce the military and political tensions between the two countries.
As the capital of the People's Republic of China, Beijing is the nation's center of government, economy, culture, and international activities, as well as serving as a transportation hub to the entire country. With a population of 11 million people, Beijing contains 18 districts and counties covering an area of 10,450 square miles. The suburbs contain: Dongcheng, Xicheng, Xuanwu, Chongwen, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan. An outer suburban area consists of: Fangshan, Mengtougou, Changping, Tongxian, Shunyi, Daxing, Huairou, Miyun, Pinggu, and Yianqing.
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Taiwan denies arms race with China Gulf Daily News Ma Ying-jeou, on his first day yesterday as Taiwan's president, vowed not to enter an arms race with China but said he would build on the island's defence to deter a possible attack from...
Post-quake China on alert against disease Reuters More than 5,000 health workers have fanned out to disinfect China's earthquake-hit villages, and doctors and nurses are stationed round the clock in refugee camps to try...
China thanks foreign earthquake donors Tampa Bay Online China's commerce minister has thanked foreign companies for donating earthquake aid, rejecting criticism spread on Chinese Web sites that they are failing to do enough.
More than 80 000 dead or missing in China quake SABC 2008, 11:15 More than 80 000 people are now confirmed dead or missing after China's worst earthquake in decades, the government said today. Previously, authorities had said they expected...
Messi will play for Argentina at Beijing Olympics Earth Times Barcelona - Talented striker Lionel Messi is set to play with Argentina at the Beijing Olympics in August and will therefore miss the Champions League qualifying round with his club, Barcelona. "It...
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UN steps up aid efforts for victims of deadly quake KeralaNext According to state media, over 41,000 people lost their lives as a result of the quake, which measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. Some 32,000 people are missing, while more than 250,000 others have...
Lenovo quarterly profit up 133 pct on China sales Tampa Bay Online Lenovo Group, the world's fourth largest PC maker, said Thursday that earnings for its latest quarter rose 133 percent as strong sales in China and Europe offset slower growth in...
Taiwan lowers its Beijing Olympic goal from 7 gold to 1 gold Earth Times Taipei - Taiwan, after reassessing its athletes' capabilities, on Thursday cut down the island's Beijing Olympics goal from the original seven gold medals to just one. Tai Hsia-ling, director of the...
Quake-damaged railway to re-open soon People's Daily Railway workers have removed the last major blockage on the quake-damaged Baoji-Chengdu railway, allowing for the completion of repairs, the Ministry of Railways announced Thursday. Workers towed...
China Adds Counseling to Earthquake Relief Efforts NPR 2008 · China is mounting its largest-ever counseling operation for survivors of last week's massive earthquake. It's unprecedented in a country where mental health problems are...
More than 80,000 dead or missing in China quake Stuff More than 80,000 people are now confirmed dead or missing after China's worst earthquake in decades, the government has said. Previously, authorities had said they expected the final death toll...
China pledges reconciliation with Taiwan Khaleej Times China pledged on Thursday to seize a rare opportunity for reconciliation with Taiwan and respect the desire of Taiwanese to be their own masters, a sign Beijing is in no hurry to bring the...
China Construction to buy stake in trust firm Business Journal Hefei Xingtai Trust . China Construction will own 67 percent of the trust firm, according to ShanghaiDaily.com. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval. In 2005, Charlotte-based BofA...
China issues public thank you to foreign companies C News China's commerce minister taken the unusual step of publicly thanking foreign companies for donating earthquake aid. The minister, Chen Deming, issued his thank-you on national...
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