The city promotes People's Olympics

QINGDAO: Wang Wenzheng had not taken a bus to work for nearly 20 years, but he has given up his private car to do so during the 2007 Qingdao International Regatta.

The Qingdao local catches the bus from his home each day to the site of the sailing regatta where he is volunteering as an official driver.

"I used to be my own boss and I drive my Volvo to work every day, however, now for the convenience of my new job I have to take bus every day," he said.

Like Wang, many volunteers in Qingdao have adjusted their lifestyles during the regatta to make the stay of guest sailors as comfortable as possible.

Nearly 300,000 people from every walk of life have registered as Olympic volunteers and contribute in a broad variety of ways to improving the image of Qingdao.

To welcome the Olympics and create a better environment, a series of activities were launched to deepen citizens understanding of the People's Olympics.

Residents were encouraged to take part in establishing a model community of welcoming the Olympics by writing songs, bilingual dramas and dances.

"Qingdao citizens show great enthusiasm for the regatta," Deputy Director of the City Publicity Department and Director of City Press Office Jiang Zhengxuan said.

"The popularizing activities will mobilize more people to take part in Olympics."

The activities have helped improve citizens' manners as many have taken to displays of courtesy, queuing in line, respect for others while commuting, protecting the environment and offering honest services.

Meanwhile, 90 percent of frontline staff at big department stores and banks have undergone Putonghua and English training.

(China Daily 08/22/2007 page24)