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22nd September 2007

Torch relay to skip Taiwan

Discussions have broken down over the torch relay passing through Taiwan.

Taiwan Sports Minister Yang Jong-her said the two sides “were not able to reach consensus over the arrangement of the relay after more than one month of discussions.”

“We deeply regret the result,” the minister said.

It is unfortunate that the two sides could not reach a compromise over the issue. Having the Chinese and Taiwan governments come together and work on an event would have shown the world that both sides can work together and overcome political obstacles.

China views Taiwan as a state of the PRC, while most Taiwanese including the President Chen Shui-bian support Taiwan becoming an independent state.

19th September 2007

Olympic mobile phone released

Cect Mobile has rebranded a Nokia Series 40 phone creating a Beijing Olympics mobile phone. The phone features the head of the Olympic mascot Fuwa Huanhuan.

It is currently only available in China.

Source

18th September 2007

Taiwan and China yet to reach agreement

The saga continues on the details of the torch relay through Taiwan. Initial discussions seemed to be positive but when it came to the finer points of the contract both sides are having trouble reaching an agreement. Long hold grudges between the two countries makes almost impossible for either side to back down.

“In an authoritarian country, it may not be a problem at all,” said Taiwan’s foreign minister, James Huang. “But in Taiwan, things do not work in the Chinese way.

“The Taiwanese government cannot agree to issue an order that disrespects and infringes on the rights of the people, and the people will not allow it to do so.”

Many have seen China hosting the Olympic games as an opportunity to mend old wounds. It is unfortunate, but the torch relay may not pass through Taiwan after all.

16th September 2007

Indian family accepted as volunteers

An Indian family working in Beijing have been accepted to work as volunteers for the Beijing Olympics.

“It was a dream come true for us,” a beaming Manish Chopra, hailing from Madhya Pradesh said to an Indian newspaper.

“We got ourselves registered as Olympic volunteers at the Donfang Area government. Currently we teach the local community how to greet foreigners in English,” Manish said.

Source

14th September 2007

Beijing taxi experience

Xujun Eberlein reports on his recent taxi experience in Beijing.

He notes:

- taxis cannot stop on one of the main downtown roads Chang’An Avenue
- businesses may close for the two period the games are on to reduce congestion
- seatbelts didn’t work
- seat covers dirty
- cab smelt of cigarette smoke

On the plus side he reports that all taxis are required to issue receipts which clearly have the driver’s name and company, which is useful should any problems occur.

New official site of the Beijing Olympics launched

Xinhua News Agency who is the host news agency of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games has launched a new official site for the Beijing Olympics: www.chinaview.cn/08olympics

The site will provide comprehensive news and photograph coverage of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

“It is our obligation to promote the Olympic Spirit around the globe and ensure a comprehensive coverage of the Beijing Olympics,” said Vice president of Xinhua Ma Shengrong.

12th September 2007

Beijing’s airport expansion to be completed by February 2008

Beijing’s new airport expansion is expected to be completed by February 2008.

The (airport’s) present limited conditions will be transformed and we will have full and comprehensive resources to support the Olympic Games,’ said Zhang Zhong, general manager of Beijing Capital International Airport Co, a Hong Kong-listed company chiefly responsible for operating both aviation and non-aviation business at the airport.

Read more: Beijing Capital Airport’s 27 bln yuan expansion to be completed by Feb 2008

Computerized translators for foreigners in Beijing

Beijing is planning to introduce a computerized translation service for mobile phones for the Olympics. If a foreigner for example is looking for somewhere to eat, they can call a number, speak their request and they will then receive computerized information in their language.

Beijing tourism authorities are expecting 550,000 foreigners to visit the city during the Olympic games.

“We now only have Chinese and English services, but will expand to other languages including French, German and Spanish,” said Pan, associate director of Thinkit Speech Laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Institute of Acoustics.

Read more: Computerized polyglots to serve Beijing Olympics

Still lots left to do for the Olympics

Steven Schwankert reports that there is still a lot left to be done for the Olympics and many promises are yet to be fulfilled.

- pollution still bad and cars are increasing in the city
- China still hasn’t issued third-generation (3G) telephony licenses
- having English speaking taxi driver is still a dream

Read more: For Beijing Olympics, Lots Left to Do

11th September 2007

Terrorist and Al-Qaeda warning from Interpol 2 replies

Interpol has sent a warning to Beijing residents regarding the possibility of terrorist attacks during the Beijing Olympic Games.

“The alliance to permit the hosting of a safe and secure 2008 summer Olympic Games will need to embrace the public sector, the global law enforcement community, the private sector and - of particular importance - a vigilant public at home and abroad,” Interpol Secretary General Ron Noble said in a speech to Chinese security officials in Beijing on Monday.

Interpol will be helping to screen visa applications for visitors to China leading up to the Olympics.

Source


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