The theme song for the Beijing Olympic Games in August will be unveiled 100 days before the opening ceremony, a senior official with the organizing committee said Tuesday.

The fourth and the last campaign to collect songs worldwide for the Games launched by the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee (BOGOC) will end on March 10, said Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the BOGOC.

"The BOGOC will invite experts to evaluate the songs and help select a theme song," said Jiang, who is attending the annual session of China's top political advisory body as a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Meanwhile he revealed that "a large-scale rehearsal" for the opening ceremony has begun, and "Chinese characteristics" will surely feature the ceremony.

Well-known Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, also chief director of the opening ceremony, has said that more than 10,000 people are involved in the rehearsal.

"All the female actresses are beautiful," said Zhang, another member of the CPPCC National Committee.

When asked whether singers from Taiwan can be picked to sing the Olympic songs they produce, Zhang did not rule out the chances.

"So long as their musical productions are excellent," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2008)