The theme song for the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games was released on Thursday.

With lyrics by Hong Kong's Lam Jik and music by Xiao Ke of the Chinese mainland, the song titled "Beijing Welcomes You" is expected to be a successful follow-up to the theme song for the one-year countdown celebration.

"We are Ready," said Zhao Dongming, director of the cultural activities department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympics (BOCOG).

According to Zhao, more than 100 pop singers including Jackie Chan lent their voices for the studio recording of the song.

Beijing plans to hold a spectacular gala to mark the 100-day countdown on April 30 and more than 10,000 local citizens are expected to take part in a marathon on the day.

(Xinhua News Agency April 17, 2008)