Media access key for Games: BOCOG
TIANJIN: As global excitement builds for the Beijing Games, Olympic organizers say that enhancing media access is crucial to promoting the event.
"We will attach great importance to the media reporting work, and provide one-stop service to better cover the Beijing Olympics," said Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games (BOCOG), at the second 10+3 Media Cooperation Forum, which kicked off in Tianjin yesterday.
The forum aims to improve Olympic media coverage and enhance cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.
The forum's theme is "sharing success and sharing the news", and includes a seminar on how best to cover the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Jiang said more than 60 percent of Olympic tickets have been sold in the first three phases so far. More than 100 world leaders plan to attend the Beijing Games, and at least 60 of whom have already begun the application process for tickets, he said.
Tianjin, a co-organizer of the Olympics, will host 12 group-qualifying soccer matches.
Xiao Huaiyuan, publicity chief of the Tianjin municipality, told the forum that the city will do everything it can to prepare for the Games and to accommodate media from all around the world.
Tianjin is expected to be China's next economic growth engine after Shenzhen and Shanghai's Pudong.
More media cooperation within China and across Asia will lead to a more open environment for Tianjin Binhai New Area (TBNA), said TBNA chief administrator Gou Lijun.
Linda Lee Joo Tiang, assistant director of ASEAN Secretariat, said yesterday's forum was a clear sign of enthusiasm and a vote of confidence for the Beijing Olympics.
"With ever improving information and communication technologies, the experience of the Beijing Olympics will be shared by millions across Asia and around the world," she said.
(China Daily 05/20/2008 page24)
