The central government and Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad fully understand Hong Kong's desire to arrange a certain Olympic event of the 2008 Olympic Games, a top official from Beijing said on September 2.

Liu Qi, visiting secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist party of China, made the remarks at a brief press conference held after the first plenary of the Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Conference on Thursday.

Liu said that Timothy Fok, chairman of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, had suggested that a certain event or game could be organized in Hong Kong, and that Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa had also voiced such hope a number of times.

Liu said this reflects that the Hong Kong public would strongly like to take part in the Olympic Games to be held in 2008 in Beijing.

"I believe the central government fully understands it, and the Beijing Olympic Games Authority also understands this feeling," Liu said.

However, he said "the right or power does not only rest with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad.

This does not mean we cannot pursue further this matter."

Liu also congratulated the Hong Kong athletes who participated in the Athens games, and said that China's excellent medal haul is a great encouragement to the people of the whole country.

Liu arrived in Hong Kong on Wednesday for attending the two-day Eighth Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium & Olympic Economic Market Promotion Conference opened Thursday.