"Construction on Beijing's key projects and Olympic venues are inspiring," Secretary of the Beijing Municipal CPC Committee and President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) Liu Qi said Wednesday Morning.

Liu made the remarks while touring the construction sites of the city's three key projects, together with Wang Qishan, mayor of Beijing, and Ji Lin, vice mayor of Beijing and the newly appointed chief of the 2008 Project Construction Headquarters Office.

With a total length of 27.6 km, the No. 5 Metro Line reaches Taipingzhuangbei of Changping district to the north and Songjiazhuang of Fengtai District to the south. To date, the main structures of the line's 22 stations are completed, as well as 99 percent of all related civil engineering. The Metro Line will be put into operation in June 2007.

"The No. 5 Metro Line will be the first large-scale construction completed among all the supporting projects for the Olympics and a key project to ease traffic." Liu said at the site.

The Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium will hold the badminton and rhythmic gymnastic events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Designed independently by Chinese architects, the Gym adopts the dome structure. The Gym has a span of 98 meters and is scheduled for completion by the second half of 2007.

Having learnt that the Gym's structure conforms to the requirements of the "Great Wall Cup," China's highest recognition in architecture, Liu said construction quality of the Olympic projects reflects the country's highest level in the field, adding that full considerations are given to the after-Games use of these projects.

The new terminal, Terminal No. 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport is carefully being equipped with facilities. The terminal will be completed in October 2007 and ready for operation prior to the Chinese Spring Festival in 2008, which falls on February 7.

During his visit, Liu pointed out that the progress of the construction is exciting and inspiring.

He said, "The ideals encapsulated in the concept of 'New Beijing, Great Olympics' are being carried out in the hands of thousands of hardworking construction crew. Under the leadership of the Beijing Municipal Government, constructions of the Olympic projects and affiliated facilities are moving smoothly forward in line with the principle of 'safety, quality, timeline, function and cost' and independent innovation."

"Construction of the Olympic venues and affiliated facilities has entered a key phase now. We will, as always, stick to the principle of 'frugality' to stage the Olympics, scientific innovation and strict management system while pushing to remain on schedule, in an effort to guarantee that the projects meet the needs of staging a High-level Olympics with distinguishing features." He continued.

(BOCOG June 15, 2006)