Construction and renovation of all 19 new Olympic venues will be
open for public bidding worldwide and foreign companies are invited
to compete, said the Mayor of Beijing Liu Qi.
Projects in Beijing's plans in preparation for the 2008 Olympic
Games include the renovation of 14 existing sports venues, the
development of the Olympic Park as well as other infrastructure and
environmental protection facilities, all expected to bring billions
of dollars to global investors.
Vowing to hold a 'green Olympics,' the mayor said by the year 2008,
all trash in the city would be disposed, 90 percent of waste water
would be under sewage disposal, and the air quality would be up to
international standards.
Apart from a limited pool of government spending, most of the funds
to finance the summer games will be raised through market-oriented
channels, and a detailed funding plan is expected to be released
soon.
Earlier reports said that a total of US$1.65 billion needs to be
collected to finance the country's first ever Olympics.
As
part of the plan to enhance local infrastructure, at least 140
kilometers of Beijing's subway system and 300 kilometers of freeway
need to be built in the next seven years, said Liu, during the
ongoing Fifth
Session of the Ninth National People's Congress Thursday.
But he also said that the Games should be run economically, and
"the building of the Olympic venues should not only meet the demand
of the Games, but also take into consideration post-game
utilization.''
To
secure an efficient, clean and open environment, a special
supervision committee has already been established to clamp down on
corruption.
Headed by officials from the central government, the members of the
committee are top lawmakers, specialists, accountants, and
auditors.
"There will be no scandals or corruption in the 2008 Olympics,''
said Liu.
The entire process of preparation will be open to the public, said
Liu.
Liu added that economic growth of Beijing would bring residents
more business opportunities, jobs and better living conditions.
Nearly 4,000 staff members will be hired to help prepare for the
games, an increase from the current 100. This will bring talents
from all walks of life, the mayor said.
(China
Daily March 8, 2002))