PRESS BRIEFING ON OLYMPICS HELD OCTOBER 19 ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 BEIJING 006760 SIPDIS SIPDIS DS/P/MECU FOR JOHN HURLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY CH SUBJECT: PRESS BRIEFING ON OLYMPICS HELD OCTOBER 19 ON MARGINS OF 17TH PARTY CONGRESS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. A briefing on next year's Olympic Games was held October 19 as part of the series of press conferences staged in conjunction with China's ongoing 17th Communist Party Congrss. Liu Jingmin, who serves both as Beijing Vce Mayor and Executive Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympiad Games (BOCOG),emphasized to reporters that possible boycotts and political linkages to the Games are "inappropriate." Liu explained the costs of the Games and their impact on both Beijing and China as a whole and described how the Olympics will purportedly promote human rights in China. Other topics addressed include Olympic security, efforts to host a "Green Olympics," legislative changes associated with the Games and efforts to cultivate sportsmanship and involvement by overseas Chinese. An Olympics fact sheet provided by BOCOG is appended below. End Summary. Political Linkages to Olympics "Inappropriate" -------------- - ¶2. At the October 19 press briefing, attended by a large contingent of foreign and domestic press as well as Poloff, Beijing Vice Mayor and BOCOG VP Liu Jingmin was asked if he was concerned that the crackdown on democratic voices in Burma would lead to an international call for an Olympic boycott. Liu said political and other non-Olympic related issues should not be linked to the Olympic Games. Referring to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) statements on Burma, Liu noted that China plays a "responsible and constructive" role. Political linkages to the Games would be "inappropriate" and would "fail to capture public support." Possible Personnel Changes Won't Impact Games -------------- ¶3. Liu was asked whether possible changes in China's top leadership following the Party Congress would impact Olympic preparations, especially if Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan were promoted. Liu said he was unaware of any upcoming personnel shifts. BOCOG had enjoyed stable leadership over the years, and each BOCOG executive member is assigned a specific portfolio, which means that even with leadership changes there will be "no impact" on preparations for the Games. Costs -------------- ¶4. Olympic-related costs have grown from the USD 1.6 billion estimated during Beijing's 2001 bid to USD two billion. The Vice Mayor attributed the increase to additional security costs and fluctuations in the exchange rate. Liu noted that Beijing's total costs were still under the USD 2.4 billion Athens spent to host the Olympics. He added that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) required three budget estimates and that a third and final estimate would be forthcoming from BOCOG. Impact of Olympics on Beijing -------------- ¶5. The Olympics will increase Beijing's international profile, promote international cooperation and establish Beijing as a historical and international city, Liu said. He noted that foreign investment had expanded and that many multinational and domestic companies have established headquarters in Beijing. The Olympics has also helped Beijing create a new urban plan that addresses long-term issues linked to the environment and traffic. Finally, the Olympics has raised "civility and good manners" amongst city residents through increased training in the service industry and foreign language study. Liu stated that over four million people had started learning a foreign language over the past few years in preparation for the Olympics. ¶6. From the 2001 bid to 2006, the Olympics had boosted Beijing's economy in the following areas: A) GDP has grown by an average of 12.1 percent per year; B) Per capita income is now USD 6300, which is 1.9 times greater than in 2001; C) 3.9 million tourists visited Beijing in 2006, an increase of one million since 2001; D) 600,000 new jobs were created in Beijing in 2006. Liu noted that while Beijing residents were the primary beneficiaries of Olympic preparations and the resulting increase in living standards, the rest of the Chinese people were also experiencing improved living conditions. BEIJING 00006760 002 OF 005 ¶7. Liu said he hoped that, through hosting the Games, China can convey to the world the impression of a China that is rapidly growing and developing and that is committed to peace and common prosperity. He added that China is a key part of the world and hopes the Olympics will also be a way to share China's culture. While the IOC uses the term "best games in history" at the conclusion of every Olympics to signal its approval, the Chinese preferred to use the term, "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features." Promoting Human Rights and Democracy -------------- ¶8. A reporter inquired how the Olympics would help promote democracy and human rights in China, in keeping with President Hu Jintao's Political Report to the 17th Party Congress. Liu responded that the Chinese Olympic Bid Committee promised the IOC in 2001 that the Beijing Olympics would "tremendously improve and facilitate the economy, society and culture in Beijing and China." Liu added that this promise included the development of human rights in China, which he said had been "tremendously boosted." As an example of increased solicitation of public sentiment and democracy, Vice Mayor Liu pointed out that the emblem, mascot and slogan selections, as well as stadium designs, had all solicited public opinion. He added that every six months, BOCOG conducts a comprehensive survey of the population so that Olympic preparations better reflect the wishes of the Chinese people. Liu also noted that the State Council's Olympic regulations on foreign reporting fulfilled another Chinese promise to the IOC. Security Planning -------------- ¶9. Asked about security planning, Liu noted that BOCOG would "absolutely guarantee" a safe and peaceful games. He described the Olympic security apparatus, starting with a high-level command and control system. Liu stated that the Ministry of Public Security leads the interagency effort on Olympic security, which includes the People's Armed Police. The interagency security coordination group "covers all areas and is a flexible system that can respond at a moment's notice." The group has also developed a comprehensive security plan which was based on research of all past Olympics and their respective security incidents. Specifically, the group has formulated and implemented strategic plans for venue security, fire safety, counterterrorism, riot control and VIP protection. Liu added that security had been included in overall Olympic planning, from stadium design and construction to the use of technology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) in all tickets. He concluded that security was a joint effort since the Olympics was an international event and to that end the Chinese had increased cooperation with the security organizations from the former host countries, international security organizations, participating countries' security teams and Embassies. Green Olympics -------------- ¶10. When questioned about BOCOG's commitment to a "Green Olympics," Liu began by reaffirming that BOCOG had made a promise in their bid to host a "green" Games. BOCOG has a two-pronged approach: 1) Olympic preparations are green with minimal impact on the environment and 2) the Games facilitate environmental protection and sustainable development of the host cities. During Olympic preparations, BOCOG requires that venue construction use pollution-free materials and environmentally friendly construction methods. Olympic sponsors must meet BOCOG environmental standards and have a consistent record of complying with environmental regulations. The hundreds of contract hotels must follow a "Green Service Guide" that includes reducing water usage and keeping a set temperature during the summer. Food products served in Olympic venues must be pollution-free. Regarding transportation, the public is encouraged to use public transport and vehicles must meet emissions standards. (Note: none of these standards were explained in detail.) ¶11. In terms of facilitating sustainable development, the Olympics are helping Beijing increase the use of clean energy and reduce emissions, Liu said. Liu commented that of the 16,000 coal boilers under 20 tons in Beijing, 15,000 had been converted to use natural gas. Qinghe Wastewater Treatment plant was using the heat from wastewater to provide heating in the athlete's village and a 6,000 square meter solar water heating system will heat athlete's showers in the Olympic BEIJING 00006760 003 OF 005 Green. Beijing has also installed a wind power field in the northern part of the city. ¶12. Liu commented that being green requires investment and advanced technology, as well as a change in lifestyle, which takes time. He added that the Chinese Environmental Protection Agency (CEPA) and the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) were working on increasing environmental education through the Olympics. Just a few days ago, CEPA experts began working on a study of Beijing's surrounding environment to see its impact on Beijing pollution. ¶13. Asked whether factories will be shut down to ensure clean air, similar to what reportedly has been done during the ongoing Party Congress, Liu attributed the blue skies of the past week to a "strong northern wind" rather than the shutting down of factories. Liu noted that, like other cities during their initial industrialization period, Beijing's factories were in the center of the city. However, 167 companies, such as Capital Steel, have begun to move to the city outskirts and reduce pollution through technological enhancements. Liu also said that per President Hu's statement on sustainable development in China, industrialization cannot be at the cost of the environment. China must achieve sustainable development. Good Sports -------------- ¶14. Responding to comments that Chinese fans had booed the Japanese Women's Soccer Team during the Women's World Cup, Liu noted that the Chinese Government was trying to "extensively educate" the public through 1) encouraging more people to attend competitions, 2) become familiar with the technicalities of different sports, such as when to clap and 3) encourage cheering for any good performance regardless of country. He noted that he has seen an improvement in crowd behavior over the 19 test events and that International Sporting Federations and athletes had commented positively on audience participation. Olympics-Related Legislation -------------- ¶15. Asked about impending legislation specifically related to the Olympic Games, Liu merely replied that China had tried to "perfect" its laws in the past few years. He said there will be no new major legislation associated with the Games, but rather creation of regulations to overcome "deficiencies in current laws." He cited the State Council's Regulations on Foreign Reporting as an example. He added that Chinese laws were based on international standards and met the IOC's requirements for successful games. He pointed to possible new regulations to augment administrative issues and commented that emblem IPR laws were being "vigorously enforced" by Chinese law enforcement. Overseas Chinese Involvement -------------- ¶16. There are 600 million overseas Chinese, Liu said, many of whom played a role in the development of Beijing and China over the years. For the Olympics, overseas Chinese have already contributed RMB 830 million (USD 111 million) toward the construction of the National Aquatics Center, making it a "souvenir trophy" to the overseas Chinese support of the Olympics. BOCOG Fact Sheet -------------- ¶17. Below are the summarized contents of a BOCOG Fact Sheet that was distributed at today's press event: -- Most Olympic venues and relevant facilities have been completed. 27 venues, including the Beijing Shooting Hall and Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park. The National Stadium opening is delayed until March 2008 due to additional technical requirements for the Opening Ceremony. The media and Olympic villages will also open in 2008. -- There are 64 corporations sponsoring the Beijing Olympic Games and the State Council has issued "Regulations on the Protection of Olympic Symbols" to raise awareness of IPR protection. -- The plans for the Opening and Closing ceremonies have been finalized and rehearsals are in progress. BEIJING 00006760 004 OF 005 -- The Torch Relay route has been finalized. Using the theme "Journey of Harmony" the torch will travel through 113 mainland cities in 31 provinces, including the summit of Mount Everest. 20,000 ut of 21,880 torchbearers have been selected. Provincial, local, and autonomous region governments will supervise the torch relay. -- The first phase of ticket sales has been completed. Seven million tickets are for sale. During phase one, 1.59 million tickets were allocated, including 26,000 tickets for the Opening and Closing ceremonies. The average price of tickets is 43 percent lower than that of the Athens game. Phase two begins at the end of October. -- Good Luck Beijing, the Olympic Test Events, are ongoing. 19 of the 26 events planned for 2007 have been completed. "In general" venues meet the needs of Olympic Games according to Liu. (Comment: American corporate sponsors indicate that logistically, the test events failed to test venue capabilities to withstand Olympic-size crowds, as only 30 percent of test event seating was sold to the public. End comment.) -- 670,000 people have applied to be Olympic volunteers. 100,000 volunteers are required, including 30,000 specialized volunteers for the dignitary program, language services, driving services, media operations, competition organization, sports presentation and ceremonies. 24,000 people have been selected thus far and are receiving training. 6,000 volunteers participated in the 2007 test events. -- The Paralympics have 27 local and overseas sponsors. The Paralympic torch relay will pass 20 cities in and outside China and be the first international torch relay in Paralympic history. There was only one test event, the International Goalball Tournament, held from September 13-16. -- Olympic conventions have been observed in accordance with International Olympic Committee (IOC) regulations -- including foreign media access. BOCOG and the IOC Coordination Commission held eight plenary meetings and nine project reviews. BOCOG hosted the World Broadcaster Meetings, World Press Briefings, Sponsor Workshops, and Chefs de Mission Seminars. The State Council enacted "Regulations on Reporting Activities in China by Foreign Journalists during the Beijing Olympic Games and the Preparatory Period" and the Service Guide for Foreign Journalists. -- Environmental Standards have improved "remarkably" through the "Green Olympics" program. In 2006, 66 percent of the days in the year were "blue sky" days, 17.6 percent more than in 2000. There has been a 42.5 percent increase in urban green coverage. The Olympic Green is 475 hectares large, with 90 percent green coverage. -- Transportation infrastructure is progressing with the October 7 opening of Subway Line 5 running from the north to south of Beijing. Subway Line 10, the Olympic Line and Airport Line will start operations in July 2008. Terminal 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport will be completed by the end of 2007 and in use by early 2008. -- To increase accessibility, 1,000 adaptation projects are being carried out each year. Beijing has built 781 sidewalks for the visually impaired, adapted 55 subway stations, and put 270 accessible buses into service. Moreover, over 230 service sector firms, all 3-star and above hotels, and 40 hospitals have been adapted for accessibility. -- A campaign to "welcome the Olympics, promote civility, and create a favorable social environment" has been launched to "create a warm and peaceful atmosphere." The four specific goals of the campaign are to, "cultivate good manners, establish sound orders, deliver quality services, and create a beautiful environment." Efforts have been made to promote "civility" (ren wen) in social etiquette, the urban environment, public order, spectator behavior, and the service sector." -- Regulatory and supervision measures have been implemented to ensure "an economical and corruption-free Olympics." In addition to the Supervision Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad, BOCOG also has an in-house Audit and Supervision Department. The Beijing Municipal Government and General Administration of Sport of China also have their own monitoring agencies. Non-government investment funds over 50 percent of venue construction. BOCOG has also decreased the number of permanent venues and switched to more temporary BEIJING 00006760 005 OF 005 facilities to reduce the costs of construction and maintenance. -- In last ten months (prior to the Games),China will heed the instructions of the Central Government to stage a "high-level Olympic Games with distinguishing features." Randt