All walks of life ready for Games

With the 2008 Olympic Games just around the corner, enthusiasm in Qingdao has reached virtually every corner of the city, touching both the high profile and the humble.

"I have great expectations for the torch relay in Qingdao. To stay in shape I exercise every day," wheelchair-bound torchbearer Li Ke said.

"I give my best wishes to Beijing Olympic Games and I hope the torch relay will be smooth and successful," the sailor added.

Cheng Jian, driver of the number 227 bus, also said he is ready as he starts another shuttle trip. "As a Qingdao driver, I am so proud to have the Olympic sailing competition held in Qingdao. Buses not only showcase our company, but also the city. To gear up for the Olympics we are striving to optimize the quality of our service," he said.

"We are ready and have prepared everything for the Olympic Games. We are pleased to receive public supervision and accept valuable advice," Cheng answered to a question asking if anything needs to be improved.

Buddhist monk Miao Yan from the Zhanshan Temple said: "the Games provides a good chance for China".

"It is also a good chance for our temple. We have made a bell entitled Olympic Peace to pray for the Beijing Olympics," Miao said.

"It is our honor to participate in the Olympics as guards for the city," said Fu Jiwei, a soldier of the Qingdao branch of the Chinese Armed Police Force. "To ensure the safety of people is our duty and we are committed to the task."

Kim Yu Jin, an exchange student at Ocean University of China from South Korea's Sung Kong Hoe University, said she hopes the 2008 Olympic Games will bring an important opportunity for the development of China and its people.

"I am very lucky and excited to be in China during the Games. There are less than 100 days left to the Games, so I hope people around the world will give support and the best wishes to the Games, and don't politicize the Games."

(China Daily 05/06/2008 page24)