Seventy percent of Chinese plan to travel around the country or abroad after the Olympic Games, an on-line survey has found.
The latest survey, by China's leading on-line travel agent Ctrip, was conducted among 1,000 respondents nationwide.
August has been the traditional peak season for China's tourism industry. However, this August many people have chosen to stay at home to watch the Olympic Games and postponed their travel plans. Ctrip said that accounted for the high percentage of people intending to travel after the Games.
The survey said that among the respondents, more than 50 percent chose long-distance domestic destinations, more than 30 percent favored short-distance tours and over 10 percent said they would go abroad.
Among the domestic destinations, Olympic co-host cites are people's favorites, with nearly 60 percent choosing Beijing, followed by Hong Kong, Qingdao, Shanghai, Qinhuangdao, Shenyang and Tianjin.
The Beijing Olympic Games run from Aug. 8 through 24.
Source: Xinhua
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Beckham, Jimmy Page in Beijing Olympic handover to 2012 Games
Footballer David Beckham, British singer Leona Lewis and guitarist Jimmy Page will appear in an eight-minute segment in the Olympic handover to London 2012 at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Games, said the London Olympics organizer on Friday.
Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012, told a press conference here that the segment in the closing ceremony on Sunday would be "young and vibrant."
It will "show the cultural diversity, the great city of London, modern and contemporary dances and elements of Olympics and Paralympics."
The eight-minute contribution to the finale was said to cost 2 million pounds . Beckham will arrive on a red double-decker bus, according to earlier media reports.
Source: Xinhua
Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012, told a press conference here that the segment in the closing ceremony on Sunday would be "young and vibrant."
It will "show the cultural diversity, the great city of London, modern and contemporary dances and elements of Olympics and Paralympics."
The eight-minute contribution to the finale was said to cost 2 million pounds . Beckham will arrive on a red double-decker bus, according to earlier media reports.
Source: Xinhua
Survey: Two-thirds Asia Pacific people awaiting Olympics closing ceremony
About two-thirds of people across Asia Pacific are eagerly awaiting the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, almost the same high anticipation as for the opening ceremony, according to a Visa survey released on Friday.
Of the 4,315 people from the region who said they would watch the Games, 63 percent said they would be watching the closing ceremony, said the survey conducted between March and April with 4,556 people from nine Asia Pacific countries and regions.
The opening ceremony was a resounding success, with an estimated four billion people tuning in to watch. The survey found the closing ceremony holds the same appeal.
People from countries and territories across the region are looking forward to the fanfare of the closing ceremony. It is the second most popular event at the Games for 87 percent of Malaysians and 78 percent of Indians, ranking even higher in popularity than other events and sports at the competition.
The final event of the Games is among the top three Olympic Games events for Australians , and Hong Kongers , and the fourth most popular event for Koreans , New Zealanders , and Singaporeans , showed the survey.
Source: Xinhua
Of the 4,315 people from the region who said they would watch the Games, 63 percent said they would be watching the closing ceremony, said the survey conducted between March and April with 4,556 people from nine Asia Pacific countries and regions.
The opening ceremony was a resounding success, with an estimated four billion people tuning in to watch. The survey found the closing ceremony holds the same appeal.
People from countries and territories across the region are looking forward to the fanfare of the closing ceremony. It is the second most popular event at the Games for 87 percent of Malaysians and 78 percent of Indians, ranking even higher in popularity than other events and sports at the competition.
The final event of the Games is among the top three Olympic Games events for Australians , and Hong Kongers , and the fourth most popular event for Koreans , New Zealanders , and Singaporeans , showed the survey.
Source: Xinhua
Preview: Canada's kayaker van Koeverden eyes title defence
Adam van Koeverden of Canada is looking forward to retaining his title in the men's kayak single 500 meters on Saturday, the second and final day of canoeing flatwater competitions at the Beijing Games.
Van Koeverden is a strong favorite for the K1 500 meters race. He has been unbeaten so far this season and beat his own world best to set a new one in the heat. Tim Brabants of Britain, who won the K1 1,000m gold on Friday, and Eirik Larsen of Norway will be his main rivals.
In the men's canoe single 500m, Attila Sandor Vajda of Hungary will seek his second gold medal at Beijing Games after claiming the C1 1,000m title on Friday. He will be pushed hard by Athens silver medalist David Cal of Spain. Cal failed to retain his title in the C1 1,000m with a second finish.
In the women's kayak single 500m, Katalin Kovas of Hungary will be out to claim the only major gold medal not already in her trophy cabinet. Her major rivals will be Katrin Wanger-Augustin of Germany and Josefa Iden of Italy. China's Zhong Hongyan could also stand on the podium
In men's kayak double 500m, Germany's Ronald Rauhe and Tim Wieskotter is the strong favorite. Belarus, Spain, France, and Italy are the main opponents after staging good performances in the heats.
In the men's C2 500m, Chinese crew Yang Wenjun and Meng Guanliang was the main gold medal contender. They finished first in two heats and got their title defence to a strong start on Tuesday. Russia, Germany, and Belarus could have a podium finish.
In the women's K2 500m, Katalin Kovas and Natasa Janic will be aiming at the title, but they will be challenged by world champions Fanny Fischer and Nicole Reinhardt. Poland or France could win a medal.
Source: Xinhua
Van Koeverden is a strong favorite for the K1 500 meters race. He has been unbeaten so far this season and beat his own world best to set a new one in the heat. Tim Brabants of Britain, who won the K1 1,000m gold on Friday, and Eirik Larsen of Norway will be his main rivals.
In the men's canoe single 500m, Attila Sandor Vajda of Hungary will seek his second gold medal at Beijing Games after claiming the C1 1,000m title on Friday. He will be pushed hard by Athens silver medalist David Cal of Spain. Cal failed to retain his title in the C1 1,000m with a second finish.
In the women's kayak single 500m, Katalin Kovas of Hungary will be out to claim the only major gold medal not already in her trophy cabinet. Her major rivals will be Katrin Wanger-Augustin of Germany and Josefa Iden of Italy. China's Zhong Hongyan could also stand on the podium
In men's kayak double 500m, Germany's Ronald Rauhe and Tim Wieskotter is the strong favorite. Belarus, Spain, France, and Italy are the main opponents after staging good performances in the heats.
In the men's C2 500m, Chinese crew Yang Wenjun and Meng Guanliang was the main gold medal contender. They finished first in two heats and got their title defence to a strong start on Tuesday. Russia, Germany, and Belarus could have a podium finish.
In the women's K2 500m, Katalin Kovas and Natasa Janic will be aiming at the title, but they will be challenged by world champions Fanny Fischer and Nicole Reinhardt. Poland or France could win a medal.
Source: Xinhua
Brazil leads Belgium 2-0 at halftime
Brazil led Belgium 2-0 in the first half of their Olympic men's football bronze medal match on Friday.
The match began with 20 minutes' stalemate, in which Belgium offensive performed slightly better. Brazilian big names seemed unlucky, with Ronaldinho yellow carded for faking a fall in minute 26, followed by an offside bicycle kick in minute 7.
Diego scored the first goal at Rafinha's cross in the 28th minute. Surprising enough, the goal didn't drive Brazil toward a more Brazilian way. During the rest of the first half, they kept less lively, leaving a series of opportunities to Belgium near the net.
However, Belgium forwards, more active but less experienced, failed to grasp the chances.
In the 44th minute, after several rounds of dull passings among Brazil defenders, Jo scored their second goal with a nice header.
Brazil beat Belgium 1-0 in their first group game. Before Beijing Games, the two teams have met only once in a major international tournament, with Brazil defeating Belgium 2-0 in the first-stage elimination round of the 2002 World Cup, a tournament that Brazil eventually won.
Source: Xinhua
The match began with 20 minutes' stalemate, in which Belgium offensive performed slightly better. Brazilian big names seemed unlucky, with Ronaldinho yellow carded for faking a fall in minute 26, followed by an offside bicycle kick in minute 7.
Diego scored the first goal at Rafinha's cross in the 28th minute. Surprising enough, the goal didn't drive Brazil toward a more Brazilian way. During the rest of the first half, they kept less lively, leaving a series of opportunities to Belgium near the net.
However, Belgium forwards, more active but less experienced, failed to grasp the chances.
In the 44th minute, after several rounds of dull passings among Brazil defenders, Jo scored their second goal with a nice header.
Brazil beat Belgium 1-0 in their first group game. Before Beijing Games, the two teams have met only once in a major international tournament, with Brazil defeating Belgium 2-0 in the first-stage elimination round of the 2002 World Cup, a tournament that Brazil eventually won.
Source: Xinhua
Defending champion Croatia shut out of the final at men's handball
Highly favored reigning champion Croatia was dethroned after conceding 23-25 to France in the semifinals of Beijing Olympic men's handball tournament on Friday.
French right back Cedric Burdet ignited the team with five goals from five shots in the first half, giving the fifth placer at Athens a 12-11 lead by the break. And center back Daniel Narcisse netted in six points in the second half, including two in the final minutes to seal the final berth for France.
Talking about his last goal, Narcisse appeared excited. "It was a flying jump shot. We had trouble getting past the Croatian defence, but we had guys who could jump over them."
"We knew the game would be tough. Defence is the key to our victory. We could have enjoyed an easier win but for the nerves from the semifinals and some slapdash shots during the match,"said French coach Claude Onesta in a post-match conference.
The tight match witnessed seventeen draws from the two sides and came to a deadlock with six minutes on the clock, when France led 24-22 and no team managed a goal in the following five minutes.
Narcisse's diving shot broke the deadlock and widened the gap to three goals, while left wing Goran Sprem's last minute goal was too late to save the Croats.
"It's unbelievable. We're in the final and we're sure to get a medal. We knew we played good, especially today, we played good defence on the ball. And we were fast on the breaks. It was just so beautiful," said French star left back Karabatic, newly elected IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2007.
Participating in Olympic Games twice and winning two gold medals in 1996 and 2004, Croatia is the most efficient team in Olympic history. However, their legend ended in Beijing and they have to fight for the bronze against the winner of the match between Iceland and Spain.
Source: Xinhua
French right back Cedric Burdet ignited the team with five goals from five shots in the first half, giving the fifth placer at Athens a 12-11 lead by the break. And center back Daniel Narcisse netted in six points in the second half, including two in the final minutes to seal the final berth for France.
Talking about his last goal, Narcisse appeared excited. "It was a flying jump shot. We had trouble getting past the Croatian defence, but we had guys who could jump over them."
"We knew the game would be tough. Defence is the key to our victory. We could have enjoyed an easier win but for the nerves from the semifinals and some slapdash shots during the match,"said French coach Claude Onesta in a post-match conference.
The tight match witnessed seventeen draws from the two sides and came to a deadlock with six minutes on the clock, when France led 24-22 and no team managed a goal in the following five minutes.
Narcisse's diving shot broke the deadlock and widened the gap to three goals, while left wing Goran Sprem's last minute goal was too late to save the Croats.
"It's unbelievable. We're in the final and we're sure to get a medal. We knew we played good, especially today, we played good defence on the ball. And we were fast on the breaks. It was just so beautiful," said French star left back Karabatic, newly elected IHF World Handball Player of the Year in 2007.
Participating in Olympic Games twice and winning two gold medals in 1996 and 2004, Croatia is the most efficient team in Olympic history. However, their legend ended in Beijing and they have to fight for the bronze against the winner of the match between Iceland and Spain.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese Premier meets Lithuanian prime minister
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Saturday hailed the role of sports in promoting international friendship in a meeting with Prime Minister of Lithuania Gediminas Kirkilas.
"The Chinese men's basketball team is led by a Lithuanian coach, and also many coaches from China are working in other countries. This shows that sports can go beyond borders and promote the friendship between peoples of different countries," Wen told Kirkilas who is here to watch the Beijing Olympic Games and attend the closing ceremony.
He said the Chinese men's basketball team's performance at the games is approved by the Chinese people, and he is also interested in the matches of the Lithuanian basketball team.
He welcomed Kirkilas to watch the Beijing Olympic Games and to attend the closing ceremony, saying he believes the Beijing Games has indeed shown the Olympic aim of friendship, unity and peace.
Hailing the smooth development of China-Lithuania relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Wen said China appreciated Lithuania's adherence to the one-China policy.
He said China will strengthen high-level exchanges with Lithuania to jointly promote bilateral ties based on the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefits and win-win results.
Kirkilas congratulated Wen and China for hosting a "very successful" Olympic Games, and praised the "very successful performance" of the Chinese athletes.
He said the organization of Beijing Olympic Games is excellent, the Chinese people are very friendly and Beijing is filled with the Olympic spirit.
"China has set a very high standard for the Olympic Games," he said.
He said Lithuania is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and coordination in international affairs, and he hoped both sides would take the 2009 Europe-Asia transportation ministers meeting in Lithuania as an opportunity to further promote bilateral cooperation.
Source: Xinhua
"The Chinese men's basketball team is led by a Lithuanian coach, and also many coaches from China are working in other countries. This shows that sports can go beyond borders and promote the friendship between peoples of different countries," Wen told Kirkilas who is here to watch the Beijing Olympic Games and attend the closing ceremony.
He said the Chinese men's basketball team's performance at the games is approved by the Chinese people, and he is also interested in the matches of the Lithuanian basketball team.
He welcomed Kirkilas to watch the Beijing Olympic Games and to attend the closing ceremony, saying he believes the Beijing Games has indeed shown the Olympic aim of friendship, unity and peace.
Hailing the smooth development of China-Lithuania relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Wen said China appreciated Lithuania's adherence to the one-China policy.
He said China will strengthen high-level exchanges with Lithuania to jointly promote bilateral ties based on the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefits and win-win results.
Kirkilas congratulated Wen and China for hosting a "very successful" Olympic Games, and praised the "very successful performance" of the Chinese athletes.
He said the organization of Beijing Olympic Games is excellent, the Chinese people are very friendly and Beijing is filled with the Olympic spirit.
"China has set a very high standard for the Olympic Games," he said.
He said Lithuania is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and coordination in international affairs, and he hoped both sides would take the 2009 Europe-Asia transportation ministers meeting in Lithuania as an opportunity to further promote bilateral cooperation.
Source: Xinhua
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