With the hoisting project completed, the main structures of the National Stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games were completed on Thursday.

The key steps in the construction of the main stadium, nicknamed "the Bird's Nest," now shift to the installation of its membranes, fit-ups and decorations, installation of electro-mechanical equipment and the final exterior engineering project.

The hoisting project, crucial in the stadium's construction, was done in two phases. The main structures' hoisting project started on October 28, 2005 and ended on August 31, 2006 with the sub-structures' hoisting undertaken between September 17 and November 30, 2006.

The Bird's Nest underwent two other major steps this year. On August 31 the welding process was completed on its main steel structures and on September 17, its support structures were successfully removed. The engineering and technical staff as well as the workers overcame many difficulties in the construction process.

(beijing2008.com December 1, 2006)