Preparations for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games are progressing well despite the global financial crisis, a senior member of the organizing committee has said.

Xu Ruisheng, vice-mayor of Guangzhou and executive secretary-general of the Games' organizing committee, said: "No one can avoid the impact of the financial crisis, it will be a huge test for us.

"But what we have to do is turn the challenge into an opportunity."

The global recession has already had a detrimental effect on two other upcoming sporting events - the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2012 London Summer Olympics, with the organizers of the latter having cut four venues from the initial schedule.

But that will not happen in China, Xu said.

"Construction work at all of the planned venues is moving ahead smoothly. Everything is right on track," he said.

In terms of marketing support for the event, Xu said that despite the economic slowdown, the organizing committee has sealed a number of sponsorship deals, many of which were agreed before the worst of the crisis hit.

Xu praised sponsors who have reiterated their support for the Guangzhou Games, saying it remains a key part of their marketing plans.

"A lot of firms have a strong sense of social responsibility and that has helped a great deal with our marketing plan," he said.

Fifteen companies, including Samsung and Guangzhou Automobile, have signed sponsorship deals, and talks are ongoing with a further 30 firms, Xu said.

Local companies should turn the challenges of the economic crisis into an opportunity, he said.

Being involved in the Games is a good way to boost domestic demand, as the government is trying to do with its 4 trillion yuan ($584 million) stimulus package, he said.

The 2010 Asian Games will feature 42 sports events, 14 of which are non-Olympic events and five that will be making their debut in Guangzhou.

An estimated 14,000 athletes and team officials, 6,500 international sports federation officials, 10,000 media workers and more than 2,000 members of the Olympic Council of Asia will take part in the Games.

(China Daily December 25, 2008)