The 2008 Beijing Olympics will not accept donations from
individuals, Vice-Mayor of Beijing Liu Jingmin announced on Sunday.
Many Chinese people volunteered to contribute money to the Beijing
2008 Olympics Bid Committee both when Beijing was bidding for
the Olympics and after it won the right to host the Olympics.
"We sincerely thank the people for their warm-hearted support,''
said Liu.
"The organizing committee for the 29th Olympics has not been set
up, but we hope the public will spend their money on improving
their own lives and on taking more physical exercise,'' said
Liu.
Liu said that this is the best form of support residents can
offer.
"Backed by Beijing's prosperous economy, we are capable of making
the Olympics in the Chinese capital the most remarkable Games in
history,'' Liu vowed.
In
the first half of this year, Beijing's gross domestic product
reached 123.4 billion yuan (US$15 billion), up 11 percent over the
same period last year.
The local financial income was 21.7 billion yuan (US$2.6 billion),
an annual increase of 29.1 percent. Beijing's financial income has
witnessed an annual increase of 20 percent over the past five
years.
Liu also expressed his confidence that Beijing's economic
development will be further enhanced through hosting the
Olympics.
A
total of 280 billion yuan (US$34 billion) will be invested in the
2008 Olympics by the municipal government, including 180 billion
yuan (US$21.7 billion) in the construction of infrastructure
facilities.
Besides governmental investment, Olympic lottery tickets will also
be issued to help raise funds for the Games.
An
extra 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) will be added to the existing
sport lottery this year.
"Though my direct donation cannot be accepted, I can still express
my support in my own way, like buying some lottery tickets and
paying my taxes according to the laws and regulations,'' said Yang
Chaojun, a 24-year-old programmer in Beijing.
(China Daily 07/24/2001)