Many Chinese people volunteered to contribute money to the Beijing 2008 Olympics Bid Committee both when Beijing was bidding for the Olympics and after it won the right to host the Olympics.

"We sincerely thank the people for their warm-hearted support,'' said Liu.

"The organizing committee for the 29th Olympics has not been set up, but we hope the public will spend their money on improving their own lives and on taking more physical exercise,'' said Liu.

Liu said that this is the best form of support residents can offer.

"Backed by Beijing's prosperous economy, we are capable of making the Olympics in the Chinese capital the most remarkable Games in history,'' Liu vowed.

In the first half of this year, Beijing's gross domestic product reached 123.4 billion yuan (US$15 billion), up 11 percent over the same period last year.

The local financial income was 21.7 billion yuan (US$2.6 billion), an annual increase of 29.1 percent. Beijing's financial income has witnessed an annual increase of 20 percent over the past five years.

Liu also expressed his confidence that Beijing's economic development will be further enhanced through hosting the Olympics.

A total of 280 billion yuan (US$34 billion) will be invested in the 2008 Olympics by the municipal government, including 180 billion yuan (US$21.7 billion) in the construction of infrastructure facilities.

Besides governmental investment, Olympic lottery tickets will also be issued to help raise funds for the Games.

An extra 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) will be added to the existing sport lottery this year.

"Though my direct donation cannot be accepted, I can still express my support in my own way, like buying some lottery tickets and paying my taxes according to the laws and regulations,'' said Yang Chaojun, a 24-year-old programmer in Beijing.

(China Daily 07/24/2001)