"It is necessary to materialize the CPC Central Committee's requirement of holding a feature, high-level Olympic game. The feature of Beijing Olympic Games is the need to fully reflect the basic characteristics of our country and the epochal background of Beijing Olympic Games."

The remarks was made by Liu Qi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, secretary of the Beijing CPC Municipal Committee and chairman of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), Jan. 27 at the closing ceremony of the Third Session of the 12th Beijing People's Congress.

Liu Qi said the 2008 Beijing Olympics is a game to be held in a big family with a 5,000-year history of civilization, with a population of 1.3 billion, 56 ethnic groups and 5,000-plus overseas Chinese; a game to be hosted by a big socialist country which is marching rapidly toward the goal of building a moderately prosperous society in an all-round way; a game to be held against the background of the times when peace and development are the theme of the world and when China has gained development and achievements of world attention.

The municipal Party secretary expounded the connotations of a feature, high-level Olympics to all deputies to the People's Congress. He said: the word "feature" here can be summed up as "Chinese style, human elegance, epochal traits and public participation".

What we call "Chinese style" means the need to fully display the 5,000-year-long history and splendid culture of the Chinese nation, to give expression to the rich lingering charm of China, so that the 2008 Olympic Games will become the best window through which people worldwide will get a deeper understanding of and experience in Chinese history, culture, populace and natural landscapes;

"Human elegance" here means the need to give prominence to the idea of human Olympics and expression to the Olympic spirit, the need to give full respect to and concentrated show of the excellent ethnic cultures of various countries worldwide and of the diversified brilliant cultures, and to boost cultural exchanges between China and other countries. The Olympics should be made a stage by which to enhance citizens' cultural qualities and raise the level of public morality and to show the harmonious, and perfect, fine tradition of Chinese sons and daughters.

The "epochal features" here suggests expressing the Chinese people's mental outlook featuring their unremitting efforts to become stronger and accomplish great things, expressing the Chinese people's youthful spirit and vigor featuring their eagerness to aim high and make progress, and their strong desire to jointly pursue peace, friendship and progress together with the world's people, and expressing their respect, welcome and help to the youngsters and athletes from various countries and their all-out assistance to the contestants in difficulties.

"Public participation" here means showing the graceful bearings of the Chinese people who account for one-fifth of world population and the vast number of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots as well as overseas Chinese taking an active part in the Olympic Games. The Beijing Olympics is both an event to take place in a most populous country in the world, and a game with the broadest section of participants.

The world's people will come to see that the vigorous and dynamic Chinese people who, through the volunteers activities and cultural and sports activities, will be tempered physically and mentally, build up their physiques, temper their willpower, and improve their moral character.

While expounding the definition of high level, Liu Qi said in light of the experience gained in the history of international Olympic games and China's actual condition, there should be eight standards for reaching high level:

1. Stadiums, gymnasiums and other facilities and the organizing work of contests should breach high level. Athletes from various countries should be enabled to give full play to their talents and various sports organizations to feel satisfied.

2. High-level opening ceremony and cultural activities. A good opening ceremony signals a successful beginning, giving expression to the Olympic spirit and realizing the integration of sport and culture through varied and colorful cultural activities.

3. High-level media service and good public opinion appraisal. Making meticulous arrangement of services for media of various countries, giving play to media's positive influence on the Olympic games.

4. High-level safe defense work. Taking measures against the occurrence of any accidents that endanger safety is the basic requirement for holding large-scale activities.

5. High-level contingents and services of volunteers. Volunteers' smiles will become the "visiting cards" for the 2008 Olympic games.

6. High-level traffic organization and service for daily life, so that Olympics officials, athletes and spectators can enjoy comfortable, convenient and efficient services.

7. High-level image of a civilized city. This is the foundation work that must be done well with all our strengths, so that athletes can compete in a satisfactory environment and a good impression is left on the spectators. And

8. Remarkable achievements gained by Chinese athletes are also an important aspect manifesting high level.

Carried on the front page of People's Daily (Overseas Edition) January 28, the above article was translated by People's Daily Online