The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
Date/Time: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 16
Venue: Main Press Conference (MPC)
Wang Hui
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Before the Opening Ceremony, which is on September 5, we were holding a special press conference on city operations in order to guarantee the smooth running of the Paralympic Games. The Paralympics Games is going to come to an end in one day and we are holding this to update you on how the Municipal Government is conducting the city operations to ensure the delivery of a successful Paralympic Games. First, allow me to introduce the people present here today. Liu Zhi, deputy secretary general of Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Paralympic Games spokesperson; Zhou Zhengyu, deputy director & spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications; Wang Zhu, deputy director & spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Cultural Bureau; Deng Xiaohong, deputy director & spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Health Bureau; Du Shaozhong, deputy director & spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau; Xiong Yumei, deputy director & spokesperson of Beijing Municipal Bureau of Tourism; Jiang Zeting, deputy secretary of China Communist Youth League Beijing Committee; and Lu Zhengming, deputy director-general of Beijing Disabled Person's Federation.
First, I will give the floor to Liu Zhi, deputy secretary general of Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Paralympic Games spokesperson. He will share with you how the city government has been conducting the city operation during the Paralympic Games.
Liu Zhi
Friends from the media, good morning. Tomorrow the 13th Paralympics will come to a victory end. Of the last ten days, athletes with disability from 147 countries and regions have participated in competition. They challenged their limits with a fighting spirit. Inside and outside the competition venues, people from all departments working tirelessly to show integration, transcendence, equality. They have worked for people with disability. I am very happy to share with you that during the Paralympic Games, 18 competition venues, 7 stand alone training venues and 8 important facilities have been running smoothly. All the security and operations have been running seamlessly. Therefore, we have honored our commitment for the international community. On the eve of the conclusion of this Games, we are holding this press conference to share with you the Beijing city operation during the Paralympics in 6 aspects.
Firstly, Games transportation services has been running in a smooth and orderly way.
During the Paralympic Games, 17 Paralympic bus lines have transported about 280,000 person-times on a daily basis; altogether 2,471 shuttle buses serving VIPs and media sponsors have transported 30,000 person-times, which has ensured the officials athletes to watch the Games in a timely way. Also our public transportation services have served 14 million person-times; over 4 million used rail transport and 2.6 million by taxi. The public transportation system of Beijing provided accessible services to approximately 3,000 person-times with special needs a day.
Secondly, we have continued to carry out the air quality guarantee measures during the Olympic Games. According to our monitoring data, as compared to the same time last year, the density of the major pollutants have been reduced significantly. For example, the density of inhalable particles and sulfur dioxide was down by 60%. As of yesterday, the number of days with air quality up to standard has reached 194 days representing the increase of 22 days over the same time of last year.
Thirdly, the market supply is secure and stable. We have conducted dynamic monitoring of food and water supply at Paralympic hotels and venues. During the Paralympic Games, there have been zero food poisoning, water pollution or major infectious diseases are absolutely none. The market supply is abundant with great variety and stable pricing. During the Paralympic Games, we have open up green channels for 8,000 vehicles that transport meat, eggs, vegetables and milk. We have guaranteed the abundant and timely supply of daily necessities in Beijing.
Fourthly, we have organized diversified cultural activities ever since the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics. All together 201 performances have been organized in 21 key performing arts venues. At the 18 Paralympic live sites, all together 94 performance sessions have been organized attracting a total audience of 350,000 person-times. 100 art groups in Beijing perform in the square, among which, 41 have performers with special needs, creating a social atmosphere of respecting life, equal participation and harmonious integration. We have been able to create a social and cultural atmosphere of respect for life, unity, equality, participation, and harmony. All the performances have not only demonstrated China's traditional culture but have also showcased China's social environment which features respect, love and support for people with disability.
Fifthly, we have offered convenient and efficient medical services during the Paralympic Games. All the medical service stations have been operating seamlessly. All together we have treated 6,740 person times including 2,030 person times for athletes. We have 3 Paralympic dedicated hospital including the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital, Beijing Union Medical College Hospital and Beijing Anzhen Hospital. We have treated 644 people at these dedicated hospitals. We have set up a wheelchair prosthetic repair center in the Village. We have conducted 1,576 repair jobs. During this period of time, all the medial institutions are running very smoothly and there is not single case of public security incident.
Sixthly, the volunteer have won the recognition of everyone. The success and smooth operation of the Paralympic competitions are ensured by the hard work of all the volunteers. After the end of Olympic Games, we have set up a volunteer team of 44,000 competition volunteers, 200,000 cheerleaders, 400,000 city volunteers and a million social volunteers. The 44,000 competition volunteers from 27 countries and regions are allocated in 43 working fields. Over 2,170 work posts providing comprehensive services for all competition venues. 200,000 cheerleaders have created the lively atmosphere for the competition of all Paralympians.
The city volunteers have been continuing to provide services such as information, language and information services at 550 volunteer service stations. A million social volunteers have been working at communities and townships and public areas surrounding the competition venues on over 30,000 posts, whether it is sunny, windy or rainy, whether it is day or night. The volunteers have been working hard at their respective posts and their comprehensive details and thoughtful services have received the recognition of not only the Paralympic athletes and spectators but also the tourist and media fans from home and abroad.
As the host city, people from all walks of life and also our ordinary citizens have made their contributions to the success of the Paralympic Games. It is fair to say that without the support of the ordinary people and the residents of Beijing, we won't deliver such a successful Paralympic Games. The city operation could have been not so smooth. On behalf of my team, I want to thank the citizens of Beijing. And I want to thank media. I know that during the Paralympic Games, you cover all that on Beijing and the country and the Games in a comprehensive way so everybody around the world can get to know everything of what we have been doing the Games. You are our dear friends for this Games and the ambassador of the Games. I wanted to talk all of you for the hard work.
Dear friends from the press, the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has created a golden opportunity for the world to know China and Beijing. It has created a wonderful bridge for Beijing and China to go global. I am sure that all of you including all the members of the Olympic family have already got to know Beijing and China with its ancient cultural history and modern splendor. Beijing with its ancient history and modern splendor will be able to showcase its glory even more. So I hope that you will pay continuous attention to Beijing and offer more coverage on Beijing. You will always be our friends and our doors will always be open for all of you.
Wang Hui
Thank you Mr Liu Zhi for your excellent presentation. Now is the time for question and answer.
Reporter from Germany
My first question is to Lu Zhengming. What do you think is the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games for China and Beijing?
Second question is to Mr. Du Shaozhong. After the success of the car vent, do you think it's likely that we maybe continue this car vent, not as restricted as it is right now or have maybe smaller restrictions?
Third question is to Mr. Liu Zhi. Is it a good reference for people now that getting job from BOCOG? Is it a good reference for their CV? What will they do after their job is done here in BOCOG? Do you offer them some jobs in the Municipal Government?
Lu Zhengming
In my opinion, this Paralympic Games has deepened the concept of transcendence, integration and equality, but more importantly we have been able to change the mind set of the people, that is to say that through hosting the Paralympic Games, the entire international community as well as Beijing and China has created a new mentality for people with disability. We don't have people with disability. We only have the people that should be treated equal despite of the disability. As a result of the Paralympic Games, we have increased a better understanding about the needs of the people with disability.
Zhou Zhengyu
Now I'm ready to answer your second question on this occasion. Now let me give you a comprehensive answer on the traffic control measures. First of all, during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, our traffic has been running very smoothly, secure, timely and convenient. During the two games, the athletes and members of the Olympic families, accredited journalists, everybody else associated with the Games has been offered a secure and efficient traffic, and transportation is a strong foundation for the orderly running of the Games. Nearly 9 million spectators, audiences have been taking advantage of the public services, and also they have benefited a lot from the orderly and secure transportation systems.
Secondly, the traffic in the city has been very fluent and efficient. So the traffic for the competition has been very successful. During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the public transportation in Beijing has played a vital role for the competition. First of all, we have completed the ingression and egression for the three big ceremonies. And also have provided the strong guarantee for smooth running of all the competition. The grand public transportation during the Games has transported 15.1 million person times on peak days, 4.92 million person times on a daily basis by the metro, 2.7 million person times by taxies. The public transportation and subway have transported all together 40,000 persons with disability during the Paralympic Games, including 30,000 wheel chair users. And for the subway, it has been running 24 hours a day without interruption. All these are new record in the history for the public transportation system in Beijing.
Thirdly, we are left with a very memorable legacy for the public transportation system in Beijing. First of all, all the new established new infrastructures including the four newly built subway lines, including public bus lines as well as the infrastructures for the person with disability would add to the modern infrastructure in general in Beijing. Also, the special traffic control measures we have put in place are very successful new experience for us. Thirdly, to take the public transportation and to do that in green environmentally friendly way, many more citizens get more experiences with new transportation. The green transportation is taking a root in the mind of the general public. Fourthly, the support of the general public, the participation from the general public, has been a source of success of the two Games of the operation. The level of green transportation has been raised considerably during the two Games.
A lot remains to be done to further improve the traffic in Beijing. It is not going to be completed over a short period of time or achieved by once. All these needs comprehensive long term measures, which needs the joint efforts from the government and everyone in the society. On August 1st, the State Council has come up with the cycling efficiency measures by the whole society and implementing rule has come out as well. The Beijing municipal government is going to implement all these measures and we would disclose further information on this over time.
Wang Hui
Since all the leaders are from Beijing Municipal Government, I am from BOCOG, I will take the last question. Everybody from BOCOG has really experienced best days in our life and career. We have accumulated a lot of experience in holding international competitions. The arrangement for the working staff of BOCOG was two way. Some of them will go back to where they came from. Some of them would take new jobs. I am sure other business and organizations will come to us about the arrangement of our staff. Thank you.
China Radio International
First question is to Mr. Liu Zhi. The Paralympic Games will come to an end. Some still concerned whether the accessible construction can still be used, also, the degree of care for the persons with disabilities, whether it is going to be lowered. As for the legacy, the question has been answered in terms of measures but I would like to ask about everybody else to answer this question from their own perspective.
Liu Zhi
The Municipal Government has been paying a lot of attention for persons with disabilities. We have a special institutional arrangement for that. It is not only during the Paralympic Games, it is long term endeavor. We have implementing rules to do that. In terms of the personnel and financial resources, it is guaranteed. As we see, the Paralympic Games is a result of our long term commitment both by the State Council and by the Beijing Municipal Government. The facilities will be continuously used after the Games. We are going to do make further efforts based on this achievement as for long term endeavor for people with disabilities. I am sure persons with disabilities will feel that legacy left by the Paralympic Games is going to be a long term permanent in place.
All the departments, our general public, and our volunteers have been participating in activities during the two Games. There are too many wonderful stories shared with us. More attentions should be paid to the persons of grassroot level, people working on the street.
Ta Kung Pao
Mr. Zhou, from the Traffic Committee, what kind of changes that will take place after the odd even number control is ended. What are some new measures to address the issue?
Zhou Zhengyu
This measure during the Olympic Games will be ending on September 20. We have heard many calls and opinions to continue these measures. We are still in the process of studying the feedbacks before taking new measures. We will keep you posted.
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver has the next Winter Games. Just a question for you about trying to improve the accessibility infrastructures in Beijing. About two weeks ago, the Mayor of Vancouver went to visit the Mayor of Beijing. He was invited there. There are circumstances when he has been lifted up into another wheelchair and lifted up to city hall, because city hall itself is not wheelchair accessible. I wonder if you could perhaps talk to me about the difficulties that it takes to overcome some of the infrastructure accessibility issues in the city that is 5,000 years old.
Liu Zhi
There are three aspects I want to share with you on our accessibilities arrangement in Beijing. Firstly, we have institutional arrangements to protect the rights and interests of the people with disability, we have drafted special rules and regulations on that aspects. We have rules and regulations on the infrastructure for the disabled including escalators, roads, etc. In every major public infrastructure, when we design the layout of the infrastructure, we have been following related rules and regulations.
Secondly, the participation of the general public is very important. The cause of the disabled people has attracted the entire attention of the society. Everyone is showing their support and love for the disabled. All the disabled in China are being able to feel the spirit in the society.
Thirdly, we have implementation agencies in carrying out the rules of the government. We have the China Disabled Persons Federation, Youth League, Party Committee at all levels to carry out the cause for the disabled people and protect the interests of the disabled people. Beijing, which is an ancient city with ancient history, has been made much more accessible than before. For example, we have created accessible facilities at key tourist resorts, such as the Great Wall, the Palace Museum, the Tian'anmen Square etc.
CCTV
During the construction of the key competition venues and training venues, all of you have emphasized the reuse of these venues after the Games. Can you tell me more about when these venues will be open to the public after the Games?
Wang Hui
I will briefly answer this question. Regarding the reuse of these venues, we have considered it when we designed and constructed the venues. I think we have accumulated a lot of experience in this regard. We want to be the best. In the first place, lots of the venues are located inside the universities and communities. After the Games, all the venues will be open to the public for reuse. Secondly, we have implemented an ownership structure during the bidding process. The ownership structure will last for 30 years. That will ensure the long term use of the structures. Inside the Olympic Green, as you may know, with the National Holiday coming up, the Beijing city government is fully prepared for the hundreds and thousands of tourists that would come to the Olympic Green. We have drafted long term plans for the long term use of the venues. Please be assured that all of these will be used for the long run effectively and efficiently.
I want to thank all of you for your time. I wanted to say thank you to all the interpreters and journalists. Tomorrow we have two press conferences, the first one is jointly held by IPC and BOCOG at 10 a.m., the second one is at 11 a.m. It will be a summary conference of the chef de mission, thank you.
