Special report:
2008 Olympic
Games
HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President
Xi Jinping inspected the equestrian events venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics
and Paralympics Sunday afternoon in Hong Kong to get firsthand information about
Hong Kong's preparations for the Games.
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping
(Front) inspects the Beas River venue for the cross-country competition of
the equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, in
Hong Kong, south China, July 6, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
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Xi inspected the racecourses for the equestrian
events at the Beas River and Shatin in the New Territories of Hong Kong.
Following the inspection, Xi was briefed on the
preparation work for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events
by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
government Donald Tsang and other HKSAR government officials.
Xi said the HKSAR government has put huge human,
material and financial resources into the preparations and has done a lot of
effective work to ensure a success of the Olympic equestrian events in Hong
Kong.
He said Hong Kong has made several world records in
the construction of venues and supporting facilities, which has not only been
fully recognized by the International Olympic Committee, but also created
favorable conditions for the equestrian events.
The Olympic equestrian events will run from Aug. 9 to
21, with jumping and dressage events to be held at Shatin and the cross country
competition at the Beas River.
Xi also said the opportunity of co-hosting the
Beijing Olympics is not only Hong Kong's honor, but also its responsibility,
which will be conducive to improving the image of Hong Kong as an international
metropolis, demonstrating the successful implementation of the principle of "one
country, two systems" and promoting sports activities in Hong Kong.
He expressed the hope that the SAR government can
strive to implement the concept of "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and
People's Olympics", and achieve the goal of running the Games with maximum
safety.
The all-weather surface main arena at Shatin, where
most of the Olympic equestrian competitions will be staged, has grandstand
seating for around 18,000 spectators and hi-tech floodlighting appropriate for
High Definition TV broadcasting.
Four equine cooling stations, including misting tents
and plentiful supplies of chilled water, are located around the venue to cool
the Olympic horses after training or competition. Mobile cooling units, another
unique feature, will also be in use throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
The cross-country for the Eventing competition will
be held at the Beas River.
Xi emphasized the importance of the events' security
and food safety, saying that security must also be guaranteed for the people,
horses and society to ensure a "safe Olympics".
Xi arrived in Hong Kong Sunday morning from Shenzhen
on a three-day inspection tour.
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (C) inspects the Beas River venue for the cross-country competition of the equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, in Hong Kong, south China, July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhou Lei)
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (2nd R Front) inspects the Shatin Olympic Equestrian Venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, in Hong Kong, south China, July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) inspects the Shatin Olympic Equestrian Venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, in Hong Kong, south China, July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo)
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