OPINION

China ready to put best foot forward for Games

The 29th Olympic Games will begin on August 8 in Beijing with the whole world watching. The Chinese government and people have been preparing for this historic event of peace, friendship and progress for the past seven years with no efforts spared to make it a great success.

The paradox of tourism in China is that despite an unforgettable range of attractions, the country is a frustrating destination for foreign tourists. There are other contradictions. The tourist infrastructure is good (hotels, restaurants, and transport network), but not readily accessible; the people are inquisitive and hospitable, but the country remains aloof and inscrutable for most foreigners.

The city government of Dongguan, in southern China's Guangdong province, announced that it was planning to distribute more than 120 million yuan ($17.6 million) in "red envelope" money to the poorest residents of the city. Each qualified citizen would receive 1,000 yuan ($144) as living subsidy to help cope with high inflation.