At a forum in Beijing, Mayor Wang Qishan announced that the next Olympics will open at 8 PM on August 8, 2008.

It had previously been set for late August to avoid the end of the capital's hot summer, but as this would collide with the tennis US Open and Major League Baseball, the opening time for the games was moved.

Besides, according to Chinese tradition, the number 8 signifies both good luck and wealth, so three in a row are particularly auspicious.

"A good opening ceremony means half, or more than a half of the Olympic success," Wang remarked. The Beijing municipal government has assembled a think tank to discuss the details of the opening ceremony.

On the design of the platform, Wang said three plans were under consideration: Western style, Chinese and a combination of the two. Beijing is thought likely to settle on the second after talks with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Three million international visitors are expected to come to Beijing for the 2008 Games, including 20,000 athletes and coaches, and over 30,000 foreign journalists. Wang revealed that so far some 20,000 reporters from over the globe had registered to attend.

Wang also announced that the IOC had refused Beijing's proposal to include martial arts as a new event -- whether it will be an exhibition event or not is still under discussion.

(China.org.cn November 5, 2004)